Consil bioactive glass particles enhance osteoblast proliferation and maintain extracellular matrix production in vitro.

Bioactive glasses are used clinically as bone implant materials as they are able to bond directly with bone. Studies in dogs have demonstrated the utility of Consil Bioglass synthetic bone graft particulate, a commercially available bioactive glass formulation, as a bone substitute for repair of bony defects. We evaluated the effect of Consil particles (500 microg/mL) on osteoblast proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production at the cellular level in vitro. An osteoblast surrogate MG-63 cell line was incubated with Consil particles or medium alone for different time periods to determine the effect of Consil particles on proliferation and expression of ECM components. Osteoblasts remained viable and proliferated upon exposure to the particles, as shown by increased total DNA content. Cells incubated with Consil particles maintained expression levels of phenotype markers (type I collagen, osteocalcin, proteoglycans, and alkaline phosphatase) similar to control cells. Levels of secreted type I collagen and osteocalcin were time-dependent and similar to controls. This study verified the ability of Consil particles to enhance proliferation of osteoblast-like cells. The particles also maintained ECM production up to 21 days in culture. Our study supports the reported clinical utility of Consil particles for the repair of bony defects.