In vitro and in vivo characterization of anodised zirconium as a potential material for biomedical applications

MARÍA ROSA KATUNAR; ANDREA GÓMEZ SÁNCHEZ; JOSEFINA BALLARRE; TAMARA VICO; MATIAS BACA; SILVIA CERÉ

MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, BIOMIMETIC MATERIALS, SENSORS AND SYSTEMS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2017 vol. 75 p. 957 - 968

0928-4931

In vitro studies offer the insights for the understanding of the mechanisms at the tissue?implant interface thatwill provide an effective functioning in vivo. The good biocompatibility of zirconium makes a good candidatefor biomedical applications and the attractive in vivo performance is mainly due to the presence of a protectiveoxide layer. The aim of this study is to evaluate by in vitro and in vivo approach, the influence of surface modificationachieved by anodisation at 30 and 60 V on zirconium implants on the first steps of the osseointegrationprocess. In this study cell attachment, proliferation and morphology of mouse myoblast C2C12-GFP and inmouse osteoprogenitor MC3T3-E1 cells was evaluated. Also, together with the immune system response, osteoclastdifferentiation and morphology with RAW 264.7 murine cell line were analysed. It was found thatanodisation treatment at 60 V enhanced cell spreading and the osteoblastic and osteoclastic cells morphology,showing a strong dependence on the surface characteristics. In vivo tests were performed in a rat femurosteotomy model. Dynamical and static histological and histomorphometric analyses were developed 15 and30 days after surgery. Newly formed bone around Zr60V implants showed a continuous newly compact andhomogeneous bone just 15 after surgery, as judged by the enhanced thickness and mineralization rate. Theresults indicate that anodising treatment at 60 V could be an effective improvement in the osseointegration ofzirconium by stimulating adhesion, proliferation, morphology, newbone thickness and bone mineral apposition,making zirconium an emerging candidate material for biomedical applications.