Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Cell Proliferation Restriction Due to Metal Trace Elements Released from Oxidized Ti Alloys

Metals such as titanium and its alloys are often used for bone replacement in orthopedic biomedicine due to their excellent biocompatibility. Ti-6Al-4V is a titanium alloy mostly used as implant material for bone reconstruction. This alloy is considered to possibly release vanadium (V) ions that are known to cause cytotoxic effects. The V-free gamma-TiAl alloy has shown to be an excellent biocompatible alloy with high corrosion resistant properties. hFOB cells were cultured on both Ti alloys thermally oxidized at temperatures of 121 °C, 500°C, and 700°C. A MTT Assay technique was used in order to compare the viability of hFOB cells at a qualitative level, while atomic absorbance spectroscopy using graphite furnace (GF-AAS) was used to evaluate vanadium traces from Ti-6Al-4V. The presence of V trace elements was observed in media from cell cultures onTi-6Al-4V treated at temperatures from 500°C and 700°C. Data obtained suggests a direct relationship with V presence and increase in degree of cell death of hFOB cells cultured on Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Further studies of V-free alloys are highly recommended in order to obtain the best biocompatible material for orthopedic implants.