Release kinetics of ampicillin, biocompatibility tests with a fibroblast strain of a Zirconia gel glass

Biocompatibility remains the central theme for biomaterials applications in medicine. It is generally accepted that this term does not indicate only absence of a cytotoxic effect but also positive effects in the sense of biofunctionality, i.e. promotion of biological processes considering the intended aim of the application of a biomaterial. Biocompatibility of zirconia gel glass was studied using in vitro testing methods, the incubation period was 7, 14, 21 days. The bioactivity of the synthesized material had been shown by the formation of a layer of hydroxyapatite on the surface of ZrO2-Y2O3(5wt%) samples soaked in a fluid simulating the composition of the human blood plasma (SBF), as observed by SEM and EDS microscopy. Studies of drug delivery kinetics were also carried out. The amount of sodium ampicillin released has been detected by UV-VIS spectroscopy. The released kinetics seems to occur in more than one stage. HPLC analysis had also been carried out to ensure the integrity of ampicillin after the synthetic treatment.