Performance of bioglass/collagen/magnesium composites in bone repair of rats

Abstract

During bone repair, approximately in 10% of the cases can occur an abnormal bone consolidation, and consequently, culminate in nonunion fractures. These events may affect the life quality of the patients, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates, as well as, high financial costs. So, it is necessary to utilize therapeutic approaches which allow the osteoinduction and osteoconduction. Among these approaches, the bioglass is in evidence, since this material can induce and accelerate the bone repair. In order to optimize the performance of the bioglass, it is suggested its combination with collagen and magnesium, mimicking the natural bone tissue. Thus, the present study can be divided into three main points: (i) characterize the bioglass/collagen/magnesium composites. (ii) Evaluate the biocompatibility of these composites through in vitro studies using cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays. Based on the in vitro studies, it will be defined the more adequate proportion of magnesium (1, 3 ou 5%) combined with bioglass and collagen. After defining the magnesium proportion, this study aims at (iii) evaluating, via in vivo studies, the effect of these composites on the bone repair of tibial defects in rats. Toward the achievement of these objectives, firstly, the composites will be characterize using physico-chemical evaluations. Moreover, the composites will be tested by cell culture assays in order to verify the citotoxicity, genotoxicity, cellular proliferation and gene expression. After these procedures, in vivo evaluation will be performed such as micro-CT, histopathological analysis, morphometry, immunohistochemistry and biomechanical tests. It is hypothesized that the development of this project will result in socio-economic benefits for the Brazilian population, since the investigation of the biological performance of bioglass/collagen/magnesium composites may lead to development of more effective and safe treatments for health care.