Comprehensive investigation on multifunctional properties of zirconium and silver co-substituted 58S bioactive glass

In order to improve the properties of 58S bioactive glass (BG), this study was done on the simultaneous effect of zirconium (Zr) and silver (Ag) on co-substituted 58S-BG (Z/A-BGs). For this purpose, Z/A-BGs were synthesized by sol-gel method in 60% SiO2-(31-X)% CaO-4% P2O5-5% ZrO2-X% Ag2O (which X = 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mol.%) system. Structural characterizations were carried out by the means of Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to monitor the surface of Z/A-BGs before and after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) was applied as well as pH measurements in order to monitor the dissolution rate of Z/A-BGs. Afterward, the biological function of Z/A-BGs was evaluated by 3-(4, 5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Moreover, antibacterial studies was investigated against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) was applied in order to measure the concentration of various ions. Additionally, biological evaluations were investigated using Live/Dead and Dapi/Actin cell staining techniques. The results indicated that the HCA layer was formed after the 7th day of immersion on the surface of Z/A-BGs. Also, the biological and antibacterial function of co-cultured osteoblast-like cell line (MC3T3) with Z/A-BGs was enhanced. Specimen containing 5% fixed Zr and 4% Ag (%mol.) showed better in vitro biological performance in comparison to other samples.