Basal O.Ozmen O.Deliormanlı A.M.2024-07-222024-07-22202220734360http://akademikarsiv.cbu.edu.tr:4000/handle/123456789/12487Bone is a continually regenerating tissue with the ability to heal after fractures, though healing significant damage requires intensive surgical treatment. In this study, borate-based 13-93B3 bioactive glass scaffolds were prepared though polymer foam replication and coated with a graphene-containing poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) layer to support bone repair and regeneration. The effects of graphene concentration (1, 3, 5, 10 wt%) on the healing of rat segmental femur defects were investigated in vivo using male Sprague–Dawley rats. Radiographic imaging, histopathological and immuno-histochemical (bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2), smooth muscle actin (SMA), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) examinations were performed 4 and 8 weeks after implantation. Results showed that after 8 weeks, both cartilage and bone formation were observed in all animal groups. Bone growth was significant starting from the 1 wt% graphene-coated bioactive glass-implanted group, and the highest amount of bone formation was seen in the group containing 10 wt% graphene (p < 0.001). Additionally, the presence of graphene nanoplatelets enhanced BMP-2, SMA and ALP levels compared to bare bioactive glass scaffolds. It was concluded that pristine graphene-coated bioactive glass scaffolds improve bone formation in rat femur defects. © 2022 by the authors.EnglishAll Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open AccessBioactive glassBoneGraphenePhosphatasesRatsTissue regenerationALkaline phosphataseBone formationBone healingGlass scaffoldsIn-vivoOsteogenesisRat femurRat femur defectSmooth muscle actinsSurgical treatmentDefectsArticle10.3390/polym14183898