J Periodontal Implant Sci.  2012 Dec;42(6):248-255.

Surface characteristics and osteoblastic cell response of alkali-and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium alloy

• Lee BA
• Kang CH
• Vang MS
• Jung YS
• Piao XH
• Kim OS
• Chung HJ
• Kim YJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biological response of alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium surfaces by cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity analysis.
METHODS
Commercial pure titanium (group cp-Ti) and alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium (group AHT) disks were prepared. The surface properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersed spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface roughness was evaluated by atomic force microscopy and a profilometer. The contact angle and surface energy were also analyzed. The biological response of fetal rat calvarial cells on group AHT was assessed by cell proliferation and ALP activity.
RESULTS
Group AHT showed a flake-like morphology microprofile and dense structure. XPS analysis of group AHT showed an increased amount of oxygen in the basic hydroxyl residue of titanium hydroxide groups compared with group cp-Ti. The surface roughness (Ra) measured by a profilometer showed no significant difference (P>0.05). Group AHT showed a lower contact angle and higher surface energy than group cp-Ti. Cell proliferation on group AHT surfaces was significantly higher than on group cp-Ti surfaces (P<0.05). In comparison to group cp-Ti, group AHT enhanced ALP activity (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that group AHT stimulates osteoblast differentiation.

Keyword

Alkaline phosphatase; Cell adhesion; Cell proliferation; Surface properties; Titanium alloy

MeSH Terms

Alkaline Phosphatase
Alloys
Animals
Cell Adhesion
Cell Proliferation
Microscopy, Atomic Force
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Osteoblasts
Oxygen
Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Rats
Spectrum Analysis
Surface Properties
Titanium
Alkaline Phosphatase
Alloys
Oxygen
Titanium

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersed spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. (A) Commercially pure titanium (group cp-Ti) showed a uniform texture with porosity. EDS spectrum showed titanium and oxygen peak. (B) Alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium (group AHT) showed a flakelike morphology microprofile and dense structure. The proportion of oxygen in the alkali- and heat-treated titanium was higher than that in the commercially pure titanium. Calcium and phosphor peaks were detected in EDS spectrum of group AHT but not in that of group cp-Ti.

• 

  Figure 2 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. (A) O1s spectra and (B) percentage of three oxygen species for commercially pure titanium (group cp-Ti) and alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium (group AHT). Group AHT showed increased amount of hydroxyl groups on the surface layers. TiO2: titanium dioxide, TiOH: acidic titanium hydroxyl group, Ti-OH: basic titanium hydroxyl group.

• 

  Figure 3 Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of (A) commercially pure titanium (group cp-Ti) and (B) alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium (group AHT). Three-dimensional AFM images (5×5 µm) showed nanoscale roughness on the group AHT surfaces. The surface topography of group AHT had more spike shape than the group cp-Ti.

• 

  Figure 4 Cell adhesion examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). (A) The cells were spread extensively and totally flattened on the commercially pure titanium (group cp-Ti) surfaces. (B) The cells were spread extensively and totally flattened on the alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium (group AHT). They were polygonal shapes with filopodial extensions, indicative of cell spreading. They did not have a regular orientation, and appeared scattered in all directions. The cells spread polygonally and cell projections connecting the cells were visible. No significant morphological difference was observed.

• 

  Figure 5 Cell proliferation measured by the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. On day 1, 3 and 5, the alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium (group AHT) showed significantly greater cell proliferation compared with the commercial pure titanium (group cp-Ti). a)A statistically significant difference as compared with cp-Ti (P<0.05).

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  Figure 6 Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity on the alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium (group AHT) was the higher than on the commercially pure titanium (group cp-Ti). a)A statistically significant difference as compared with cp-Ti (P<0.05).

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