Enhancing biocompatibility: heat-treated Al2O3- and ZrO2- reinforced hydroxyapatite coatings on metallic implants
摘要
This study aims at determining the in-vitro biocompatibility of plasma-sprayed alumina (Al2O3)- and zirconia (ZrO2)-reinforced hydroxyapatite (HAP) coating on Ti6Al4V and SS316 substrates. It compares the biological implications of as-sprayed and heat-treated coatings, thus clarifying the means through which the performance of metallic implant coating can be improved. The NIH3T3 fibroblasts and human peripheral blood monocytes cells (hPBMCs) were seeded on the coatings for 48 and 96 h. Cell viability was determined through both MTT and trypan blue tests and microscopic evaluations. The experiment compared the cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) results between as-sprayed and heat-treated surfaces. Heat-treated coatings exhibited about 100% viability in both NIH3T3 and hPBMC cultures, compared to significant reduction in cell death (20–30% in NIH3T3, and 10–25% in hPBMCs) in as-sprayed coatings. ROS analysis showed that heat treatment was effective in reducing the oxidative stress, whereas as-sprayed surfaces stimulated the high levels of ROS. One-way ANOVA proved statistically significant positive changes in cell viability and ROS mitigation in all conditions of coating (p