Response to osteoblastic cells of bioactive organic-inorganic hybrid

Organically modified silicate gels were synthesized starting from ploy(dimethylsiloxane), tetraethoxysilane, calcium nitrate, and colloidal silica through sol-gel processing. In vitro apatite deposition on the colloidal silica containing hybrids in a simulated body fluid of the Kokubo recipe was confirmed, indicating they were bioactive. Cell proliferation for the hybrid gels with the colloidal silica was better than the colloidal silica free gels. The cells cultured for 7 days on the hybrid gels with colloidal silica expanded their pseudopodium and were well attached. In contrast, the cells were hardly observable on the colloidal silica free gels. Thus, the hybrids with colloidal silica are cytocompatible as well as bioactive.