Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2017, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (2): 296-301.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2017.02.024

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Application of silicon in biomaterials: an increase in bioactivity but with no change in mechanical performance

Zhang Shai-lin, Cheng Xiang-yu, Ji Bin
  

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Putuo Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
  • Received:2016-10-19 Online:2017-01-18 Published:2017-02-27
  • Contact: Ji Bin, Chief physician, Master’s supervisor, Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Putuo Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
  • About author:Zhang Shai-lin, M.D., Attending physician, Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Putuo Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
  • Supported by:
    the Self-Innovation Project of Health System in Shanghai Putuo District, No. 2013PTKW015

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Silicon plays an essential role in bone development and bioactive silicate glasses pioneered the current era of bioactive materials. Various biomaterials have been developed based on the biological function of silicon.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the biological function of silicon and research process of silicon in biomaterials.
METHODS: A computer-based retrieval of CNKI, PubMed, SpringerLink and Elsevier ScienceDirect databases was performed to search the relevant literatures concerning the biological function of silicon and its application in biomaterials. All data were primarily screened to exclude repeated and irrelevant articles. Literatures about the application of silicon in biomaterials were included.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 68 eligible English articles are enrolled. Silicon plays important chemical and biological roles in bone. Silicon in the extracellular matrix interacts with glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans during their synthesis and form ionic substitutions in the crystal lattice structure of hydroxyapatite. In addition, the dissolution products of bioactive glass (mainly silicic acid) expose significant influence on the molecular biology of osteoblasts in vitro, and can regulate the expressions of several genes including osteoblastic markers, cell cycle regulators and extracellular matrix proteins. Silicon has been proved to improve the bioactivity of numerous materials and do no harm to their mechanical properties and without cytotoxicity.  

Key words: Silicon, Hydroxyapatite, Silicates, Tissue Engineering

CLC Number: