Hitological Study of Biocompatibility of New β Type Titanium Alloy (Ti-13Ta-29Nb-4.6Zr)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the biocompatibility of a newly developed β type titanium alloy (Ti-13Ta-29Nb-4.6Zr). Ti-13Ta-29Nb-4.6Zr, Ti-6Al-4V, Ti, Ni and Cu were implanted in subcutaneous pouches in the backs of ddy mice, and sham operations were performed on controls. Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 α, β, IL-6 and IL-1 ra) were detected in the tissues around the alloy by immunohistochemical methods. The results were as follows : the levels of expression of every proinflammatory cytokine in mice with Ti-13Ta-29Nb-4.6Zr implants were lower than in the Cu and Ni groups. However, the level of IL-1 β exoression induced by the new alloy was higher than in the Ti and sham groups, and a higher level of IL-6 expression than sham in the group was detected at 10 days. We concluded that Ti-13Ta-29Nb-4.6Zr may have equivalent biocompatibility to the existing Ti alloy However, our findings is suggested that the differences in the elements included in the materials may affect the host response.