In vivo comparative biokinetics and biocompatibility of titanium and zirconium microparticles

OLMEDO, DANIEL; TASAT, DEBORAH; EVELSON, PABLO; REBAGLIATTI, RAUL; GUGLIELMOTTI, MARIA; CABRINI, RAUL

JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A

WILEY-LISS, DIV JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

Año: 2011 p. 604 - 613

1549-3296

Titanium and zirconium are biomaterials that present a layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2) or zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). As a result of corrosion, microparticles can be released into the bioenvironment, and their effect on tissues is seemingly associated with differences in the physicochemical properties of these metals. The aim of this study was to perform a long-term evaluation of the distribution, destination, and potential risk of TiO2 and ZrO2 microparticles that might resultfrom the corrosion process. Wistar rats were i.p. injected with an equal dose of either TiO2 or ZrO2 suspension. The following end-points were evaluated at 3, 6, and 18 months: (a) the presence of particles in blood cells and liver and lung tissue, (b) Ti and Zr deposit quantitation, (c) oxidant–antioxidant balance in tissues, and (d) O2-  generation in alveolar macrophages. Tiand Zr particles were detected in blood mononuclear cells and in organ parenchyma. At equal doses and times postadministration, Ti content in organs was consistently higher than Zrcontent. Ti elicited a significant increase in O2- generation in the lung compared to Zr. The consumption of antioxidant enzymes was greater in the Ti than in the Zr group. The present study shows that the biokinetics of TiO2 and ZrO2 depends on particle size, shape, and/or crystal structure.