Synthesis and characterization of electrospun bioactive glass nanofibers-reinforced calcium sulfate bone cement and its cell biological response

Abstract In the present study, different weight ratios of electrospun bioactive glass nanofibers (3, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 35 wt%) (BGF) were added to calcium sulfate cement (CSC). Physical and mechanical properties of CSC/BGF composites were evaluated and compared with CSC. Initial and final setting times of CSC were reduced from 12 to 27 min to 6 and 21 min by increasing of BGF content, up to 15 wt%. BGFs with the average diameter of 80–100 nm were achieved by appropriate controlling of electrospinning parameters. SEM observations of nanocomposites revealed that BGFs filled the spaces between the crystals of the gypsum phase FTIR analysis and X-ray diffraction of the composites were confirmed the presence of BGF in the cement matrix. The best mechanical values (E~800 MPa and σ~30 MPa) were related to CSC containing 15 wt% of BGF (CSC/15%BGF). Apatite clusters were seen on the surface of CSC/15% BGF composite after 14 days of soaking in body fluid (SBF) solution. A.O. staining and MTT assay confirmed the absence of toxicity reactions for CSC/15%BGF nanocomposite. Alizarin red staining and calcium content were affirmed the biomineralization, and the expression of osteogenesis markers corroborated the differentiation potential of CSC/BGF. Collectively, our findings supported bioactivity and biocompatibility of CSC/15%BGF nanocomposite as a promising candidate for bone healing applications.