Growing Bone the Easy Way

Scientists develop a glass that dissolves harmlessly in the body and activates calcium-producing genes

By Abby Seiff Posted 06.05.2008 at 1:36 pm 2 Comments

Bone Cells Growing on the Bioactive Glass Imperial College

Vitamins may soon be a thing of the past. Researchers at Imperial College have developed a new type of glass that dissolves harmlessly in the body and promotes calcium growth. As the bioactive material dissipates, it releases silica and calcium ions into the body. If released at the correct rate, these can activate genes responsible for producing calcium—a near-panacea for an otherwise healthy aging body.

Though used previously in clinical trials, the mechanism behind the material wasn't well known. Now, using neutron diffraction, scientists can see how the material releases calcium at the needed rate at the atomic level. For the next round of research, the scientists are hoping to develop a stronger version of the glass that could be used in joint replacements to promote bone re-growth in a way ordinary replacements can't.

Via PhysOrg

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2 Comments

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Taio

06/06/08 at 5:20 am

This sounds like an outstanding breakthrough and it (if procured) could have amazing applications. One question is when the glass disolves will it disolve unevenly creating shards or smaller peices? Then again clinical studies are yet to come so we will see wont we :)

~Taio~

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parhatsathid

11/20/11 at 5:47 am

It works like the same like taking sodium silicate (in water), so once it is intake, you take some calcium and some phosphate, from meat you eat and it regenerates the bones. I used it for bone regeneration often in broken back, but also hyaluronic acid is required to relieve of the pain. The limiting substance is silicate which in food are insoluble but when it is in form of sodium silicate is very water soluble. I often used that to help with thickening of nail growth and hair growth, within 2 weeks too.