In vitro bioactivity of akermanite ceramics

In this study, the bone-like apatite-formation ability of akermanite ceramics (Ca2MgSi2O7) in simulated body fluid (SBF) and the effects of ionic products from akermanite dissolution on osteoblasts and mouse fibroblasts (cell line L929) were investigated. In addition, osteoblast morphology and proliferation on the ceramics were evaluated. The results showed that akermanite ceramics possessed bone-like apatite-formation ability comparable with bioactive wollastonite ceramics (CaSiO3) after 20 days of soaking in SBF and the mechanism of bone-like apatite formation on akermanite ceramics is similar to that of wollastonite ceramics. The Ca, Si, and Mg ions from akermanite dissolution at certain ranges of concentration significantly stimulated osteoblast and L929 cell proliferation. Furthermore, osteoblasts spread well on the surface of akermanite ceramics, and proliferated with increasing the culture time. The results showed that akermanite ceramics possess bonelike apatite-formation ability and can release soluble ionic products to stimulate cell proliferation, which indicated good bioactivity. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.