# Bioglass-Reinforced Spongin-Like Collagen Scaffolds for Osteoporotic Bone Tissue Engineering

## TL;DR

This study develops and tests a new composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering that shows improved bone regeneration in osteoporotic conditions.

## Contribution

A novel Bioglass and spongin-like collagen composite scaffold is introduced for enhanced osteoporotic bone repair.

## Key findings

- BG/SPG scaffolds showed no genotoxic effects and enhanced calcium deposition in vitro.
- In vivo, BG/SPG scaffolds promoted greater bone regeneration with higher bone volume and osteoblast activity.
- Immunostaining confirmed elevated osteogenic activity in the BG/SPG group.

## Abstract

Osteoporotic fractures pose a significant clinical challenge
due
to impaired bone regeneration. In this study, composite scaffolds
based on Bioglass 45S5 (BG) and marine-derived spongin-like collagen
(SPG) were developed and analyzed. Characterization techniques included
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR) to assess morphology and chemical composition
of the components. In vitro analyses involved genotoxicity
testing by micronucleus assay in CHOK-1 cells and assessment of mineralization
potential using Alizarin Red S staining in MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts. In vivo performance was evaluated through implantation in
tibial bone defects of ovariectomized rats, followed by histological,
histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses at 15- and 30-days
postsurgery. The characterization confirmed the successful obtation
of the components, with SEM revealing distinct BG particles and fibrillar
SPG architecture, and FTIR identifying the presence of key chemical
bonds from both components. In vitro, BG/SPG scaffolds
showed no genotoxic effects and significantly enhanced calcium deposition
compared to BG alone, indicating superior mineralization capacity. In vivo, the composite scaffolds promoted greater bone regeneration
than BG alone, with higher bone volume (BV/TV), increased osteoblast
activity (N.Ob/T.Ar and Ob.S/BS), and greater collagen deposition.
Immunostaining for RUNX-2 and OPG also confirmed elevated osteogenic
activity in the BG/SPG group. These findings demonstrate that BG/SPG
scaffolds possess excellent structural integrity, safety, and biological
performance, supporting their potential use in bone tissue engineering
applications for osteoporotic bone repair.