In vitro degradability, bioactivity and cell responses to mesoporous magnesium silicate for the induction of bone regeneration

Mesoporous magnesium silicate (m-MS) was synthesized, and the in vitro degradability, bioactivity and primary cell responses to m-MS were investigated. The results suggested that the m-MS with mesoporous channels of approximately 5 nm possessed the high specific surface area of 451.0 m(2)/g and a large specific pore volume of 0.41 cm(3)/g compared with magnesium silicate (MS) without mesopores of 75 m2/g and 0.21 cm(3)/g, respectively. The m-MS was able to absorb a large number of water, with water absorption of 74% compared with 26% for MS. The m-MS was also degradable in a Tris-HCI solution, with a weight loss ratio of 40 wt% after a 70-day immersion period. The m-MS exhibited good in vitro bioactivity, inducing apatite formation on its surfaces after soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) at a faster rate than observed for MS. The m-MS surface clearly promoted the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, and their normal cell morphology indicated excellent cytocompatibility. This study suggested that mesoporous magnesium silicate with a high specific surface area and pore volume had suitable degradability and good bioactivity and biocompatibility, making it an excellent candidate biomaterial for the induction of bone regeneration. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.