LAUSR

Abstract In order to improve the properties of 58S bioactive glass (BG), this study was done on the simultaneous effect of zirconium (Zr) and silver (Ag) on co-substituted 58S-BG (Z/A-BGs). For this purpose, Z/A-BGs were synthesized by sol-gel method in 60% SiO2-(31-X)% CaO-4% P2O5-5% ZrO2 –X% Ag2O (which X = 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mol.%) system. Structural characterizations were carried out by the means of Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to monitor the surface of Z/A-BGs before and after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) was applied as well as pH measurements in order to monitor the dissolution rate of Z/A-BGs. Afterward, the biological function of Z/A-BGs was evaluated by 3-(4, 5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Moreover, antibacterial studies was investigated against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) was applied in order to measure the concentration of various ions. Additionally, biological evaluations were investigated using Live/Dead and Dapi/Actin cell staining techniques. The results indicated that the HCA layer was formed after the 7th day of immersion on the surface of Z/A-BGs. Also, the biological and antibacterial function of co-cultured osteoblast-like cell line (MC3T3) with Z/A-BGs was enhanced. Specimen containing 5% fixed Zr and 4% Ag (%mol.) showed better in vitro biological performance in comparison to other samples.