Antimicrobial and osteogenic properties of a hydrophilic-modified nanoscale hydroxyapatite coating on titanium.

Hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated titanium (Ti) is commonly used for implantable medical devices. This study examined in vitro osteoblast gene expression and antimicrobial activity against early and late colonizers of supra-gingival plaque on nanoscale HA-coated Ti prepared by discharge in a physiological buffered solution. The HA-coated Ti surface showed super-hydrophilicity, whereas the densely sintered HA and Ti surfaces alone showed lower hydrophilicity. The sintered HA and HA-coated Ti surfaces enhanced osteoblast phenotypes in comparison with the bare Ti surface. The HA-coated Ti enabled antimicrobial activity against early colonizers of supra-gingival plaques, namely Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus gordonii. Such antimicrobial activity may be caused by the surface hydrophilicity, thereby leading to a repulsion force between the HA-coated Ti surface and the bacterial cell membranes. On the contrary, the sintered HA sample was susceptible to infection of microorganisms. Thus, hydrophilic-modified HA-coated Ti may have potential for use in implantable medical devices. From the Clinical Editor: This study establishes that Hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated titanium (Ti) surface of implanted devices may result in an optimal microenvironment to control and prevent infections and may have potential future clinical applications.

Enhanced osteoblast response to electrical discharge machining surface.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the surface characteristics and biocompatibility of titanium (Ti) surfaces modified by wire electrical discharge machining (EDM). EDM surface characteristics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thin-film X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and contact angle measurements. MC3T3-E1 cell morphology, attachment and proliferation, as well as analysis of osteoblastic gene expressions, on machined surfaces and EDM surfaces were also evaluated. EDM surfaces exhibited high super hydrophilicity, due to high surface energy. XPS and XRD revealed that a passive oxide layer with certain developing thickness onto. EDM surfaces promoted cell attachment, but restrained proliferation. Counted cell numbers increased significantly on the machined surfaces as compared to the EDM surfaces. Real-time PCR analyses showed significantly higher relative mRNA expression levels of osteoblastic genes (ALP, osteocalcin, Runx2, Osterix) in cells cultured on the EDM surfaces as compared to cells cultured on the machined surfaces.