Interaction of MC3T3-E1 cells with titanium implants

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate in-vitro MC3T3-E1 preosteoblastic cell osseointegration on surfaces of polished, sand-blasted (smooth and rough) and sodium titanate coated titanium alloys. Materials and methods: MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and mineralization was assessed comparatively on polished, sand-blasted (smooth and rough) and sodium titanate coated titanium alloys. Cell morphology, attachment and proliferation were also comparatively evaluated using confocal (CM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: All implants used in this study were biocompatible. Cells started to attach on the surfaces of the implants following exposure to the in vitro medium for 3 days. The cells were viable and metabolically active as observed by CM. Cell population increased exponentially from day 3 to day 22. Proliferation rate was highest on polished surfaces and lowest on sodium titanate-coated surfaces. In contrast, mineralized nodules were numerous on sand-blasted and sodium titanate-coated surfaces when compared to the polished ones on day 30. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that sand-blasting and sodium titanate coating provided by NaOH favored the attachment, mineralization and early differentiation of osteoblasts on titanium alloys.