Microanalysis of Bioactive Samarium Doped Glass-Reinforced Hydroxyapatite

In last years, due to the high prevalence of bone defects caused by disorders and injuries, several biomaterials have been developed to be used as bone substitutes [1]. To improve the chemical similarity between these substitutes and bone inorganic part, osteoconductive P2O5 glass-reinforced hydroxyapatite (GR-HA) composites have been developed [2]. The bioactive glasses used in these composites are a source of certain ions, which grants to the composite a bioactive ability, leading to osteointegration [3]. Recently, lanthanide-containing compounds have been studied for several medical applications related with bone tissue [4]. Therefore, in this project, a novel bioactive bone substitute was developed, using a completely new approach based on a samarium (Sm) doped P2O5 glass-reinforced hydroxyapatite (GR-HA). Four composites were prepared, one non-doped (GR-HA_control) and other three doped with different Sm concentrations (GR-HA_0.5Sm, GR-HA_1Sm, GR-HA_2Sm). The composites were physicochemical characterized and the MG63 cells viability on the materials surface was evaluated by SEM and CLSM analysis.