EN
Zinc is a vital and beneficial trace element found
in the human body. Though found in small proportions,
zinc performs a variety of functions in relation to the immune
system, cell division, fertility and the body growth
and maintenance. In particular, zinc is proven to be a
necessary element for the formation, mineralization, development
and maintenance of healthy bones. Considering
this attractive attributes of zinc, recent research has
widely focused on using zinc along with silicate-based
bioactive glasses for bone tissue engineering applications.
This paper reviews relevant literature discussing the significance
of zinc in the human body, along with its ability
to enhance antibacterial effects, bioactivity and distinct
physical, structural and mechanical properties of bioactive
glasses. In this context, even if the present analysis is
not meant to be exhaustive and only representative studies
are discussed, literature results confirm that it is essential
to understand the properties of zinc-containing bioactive
glasses with respect to their in vitro biological behavior,
possible cytotoxic effects and degradation characteristics
to be able to effectively apply these glasses in bone regeneration
strategies. Topics attracting increasing research efforts
in this field are elaborated in detail in this review,
including a summary of the structural, physical, biological
and mechanical properties of zinc-containing bioactive
glasses. This paper also presents an overview of the
various applications in which zinc-containing bioactive
glasses are considered for use as bone tissue scaffolds,
bone filling granules, bioactive coatings and bone cements,
and advances and remaining challenges are highlighted.