Gene expression in Ca or Mg implanted titanium surfaces

Using a two-step method of surface mechanical attrition treatment and calcium ion implantation to promote the osteogenic activity of mesenchymal stem cells as well as biomineralization on a β-titanium surface

Combination of the SMAT technique and Ca-ion implantation produced a β-titanium alloy with a bioactive surface layer, which was proved to effectively promote the osteogenic activity of MSCs and Ca–P mineral deposition in vitro.

Tantalum implanted entangled porous titanium promotes surface osseointegration and bone ingrowth

Porous Ti is considered to be an ideal graft material in orthopaedic and dental surgeries due to its similar spatial structures and mechanical properties to cancellous bone. In this work, to overcome the bioinertia of Ti, Ta-implanted entangled porous titanium (EPT) was constructed by plasma immersion ion implantation &deposition (PIII&D) method. Ca-implanted and unimplanted EPTs were investigated as control groups. Although no difference was found in surface topography and mechanical performances, both Ca- and Ta-implanted groups had better effects in promoting MG-63 cell viability, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization than those of unimplanted group. The expression of osteogenic-related markers examined by qRT-PCR and western blotting was upregulated in Ca- and Ta-implanted groups. Moreover, Ta-implanted EPT group could reach a higher level of these effects than that of Ca-implanted group. Enhanced osseointegration of both Ca- and Ta-implanted EPT implants was demonstrated through in vivo experiments, including micro-CT evaluation, push-out test, sequential fluorescent labeling and histological observation. However, the Ta-implanted group possessed more stable and continuous osteogenic activity. Our results suggest that Ta-implanted EPT can be developed as one of the highly efficient graft material for bone reconstruction situations.