The bioactivity and ion release of titanium-containing glass polyalkenoate cements for medical applications

The ion release profiles and bioactivity of a series of Ti containing glass polyalkenoate cements. Characterization revealed each material to be amorphous with a T g in the region of 650–660°C. The network connectivity decreased (1.83–1.35) with the addition of TiO 2 which was also evident with analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Ion release from cements were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy for zinc (Zn 2+ ), calcium (Ca 2+ ), strontium (Sr 2+ ), Silica (Si 4+ ) and titanium (Ti 4+ ). Ions such as Zn 2+ (0.1–2.0 mg/l), Ca 2+ (2.0–8.3 mg/l,) Sr 2+ (0.1–3.9 mg/l), and Si 4+ (14–90 mg/l) were tested over 1–30 days. No Ti 4+ release was detected. Simulated body fluid revealed a CaP surface layer on each cement while cell culture testing of cement liquid extracts with TW-Z (5 mol% TiO 2 ) produced the highest cell viability (161%) after 30 days. Direct contact testing of discs resulted in a decrease in cell viability of the each cement tested.