Bioactive glasses and electrospun composites that release cobalt to stimulate the HIF pathway for wound healing applications.

The composite fibres containing new bioactive glass compositions delivered cobalt ions at a sustained rate, which could be mediated by the magnesium content of the glass. The dissolution products stabilised HIF-1α and provoked a significantly higher expression of VEGF, suggesting the composites activated the HIF pathway to stimulate angiogenesis.