Affects of alumina and titania nanoparticulates on bone cell function

摘要

Proliferation of osteoblasts (bone-forming cells) and chondrocytes (cartilage-synthesizing cells) exposed to different sizes of alumina as well as titania wear debris particles were investigated in the present in vitro study. Such wear debris may result from friction between articulating components of orthopedic implants. Results provided the first evidence of increased osteoblast and chondrocyte proliferation in the presence of nanometer compared to conventional-dimension (i.e. micron) ceramic particles. Studies revealed that the only difference between respective ceramic particles was dimension; specifically, phase, charge, and chemical properties were similar between different size alumina and titania particles, respectively. Evidence of a less detrimental affect of nanometer compared to conventional-dimension wear debris on cell function offers additional evidence that nanophase ceramics may become the next generation of bone prosthetic materials with improved osseointegrative (that is, ability to bond to juxtaposed bone in situ) properties.