Bioactive glass (BAG)

Bioactive glasses are a class of synthetic silica-based biomaterials designed to induce a specific biological response at the interface of the material, resulting in the formation of a bond between the tissues and the material (Hench, 2006, Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine). Originally developed in 1969 as 45S5 Bioglass, these materials are characterized by their ability to release ions such as calcium, phosphorus, and silicon upon contact with physiological fluids (Jones, 2013, Acta Biomaterialia). This ion release triggers the formation of a hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) layer, which is chemically and structurally similar to the mineral phase of bone, allowing for seamless integration with host tissue (Rahaman et al., 2011, Acta Biomaterialia). Beyond their osteoconductive properties, bioactive glasses are known to stimulate osteoblast differentiation and promote angiogenesis by upregulating growth factors like VEGF (Gorustovich et al., 2010, Tissue Engineering Part B: Reviews). They also exhibit inherent antimicrobial properties due to the local increase in pH and osmotic pressure caused by ion exchange (Drago et al., 2018, BMC Infectious Diseases). In clinical practice, they are used as bone graft substitutes, dental fillers, and scaffolds for tissue engineering, often serving as delivery vehicles for antibiotics or growth factors.

Other names

Bioglass45S5S53P4Bioactive glass-ceramicSurface-reactive glassCalcium phosphosilicate glass

Bioactive glass functions through a series of surface reactions including ion exchange (release of Ca2+, PO43-, and Si4+ ions) and the formation of a silica-rich layer, which leads to the precipitation of a hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) layer that chemically bonds with host bone and stimulates osteogenic gene expression (Hench, 2006, Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine).