High surface area, large pore volume, and unique porous structure are the key aspects of mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGs). This features make them a suitable carrier for the controlled delivery of drugs, therapeutic ions, nucleic acid, and other biologically active molecules. In the present work the MBGs single and co-doped with boron and cobalt in the binary system SiO2-CaO were synthesized by the microemulsion-assisted sol-gel method [1]. Boron and cobalt can induce the multitarget effect, especially on the angiogenesis, by activating mRNA expression of pro-angiogenic proteins like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)[2],[3]. Morphological properties, e.g. shape and size of the particles in the range of 100 to 230 nm, were revealed by scanning electron microscopy analysis, while their amorphous nature was studied by X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, their chemical composition was determined by acid digestion using the inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Accordingly, the bioactivity assessment in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 14 days under physiological conditions and the ion release tests using SBF medium and TRIS solution was done. Subsequently, cell viability tests and microbiology were performed. The preliminary results of cobalt and boron-doped MBGNPs show that they have a synergic effect to enhance the angiogenesis activity of biomaterials [3].

References

[1]K. Zheng, A.R. Boccaccini, Sol-gel processing of bioactive glass nanoparticles: A review, Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 249 (2017) 363–373

[2]E. Bosch-Rué, L. Díez-Tercero, R. Rodríguez-Gonzá lez, B.M. Bosch-Canals, R.A. Perez, Assessing the potential role of copper and cobalt in stimulating angiogenesis for tissue regeneration, PLoS One. 16 (2021) 1–21.

[3]S. Chen, M. Michálek, D. Galusková, M. Michálková, P. Švančárek, A. Talimian, H. Kaňková, J. Kraxner, K. Zheng, L. Liverani, D. Galusek, A.R. Boccaccini, Multi-targeted B and Co co-doped 45S5 bioactive glasses with angiogenic potential for bone regeneration, Mater. Sci. Eng. C. 112 (2020) 110909.