Synthesis and characterization of novel copper-doped modified bioactive glasses as advanced blood-contacting biomaterials

Bioactive glasses (BGs) are among the most popular biomaterial categories. Due to their biocompatibility, bioactivity, antimicrobial, and angiogenesis abilities, they are increasingly utilized in a variety of tissue-engineering applications. Despite the excellent properties of BGs, their use as blood-contact biomaterials has been restricted because of their influence on the activation of the coagulation cascade. In this study, a series of modified borate-based BGs (containing B2O3, MgO, K2O, Na2O, and different concentrations of CuO) were synthesized by a melting-derived method. The synthesized BGs exhibited anticoagulant properties thanks to removing blood-clotting elements including calcium, phosphate, and silica. The results indicated that all of the BGs were in a glassy phase and did not show any significant cytotoxicity. The modified BGs showed antibacterial properties against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa bacteria. The investigation of hemocompatibility also revealed that none of the groups caused red blood cell rupture or initiated the coagulation cascade. This research demonstrated that the incorporation of copper ions into the modified BGs could dramatically improve the endothelial cell proliferation, migration, vascular endothelial growth factor secretion, tube formation, and expression of angiogenesis-related genes (vascular endothelial growth factor , KDR, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α α, and endothelial nitric oxide), resulting in the promotion of angiogenesis properties. According to the findings, it is achievable to synthesize multifunctional BGs for use in blood-contact applications by combining increased angiogenesis, anticoagulant, and antibacterial properties suitable for vascular tissue engineering applications.