Study of cytotoxicity and dissolution of metallic biomaterials using dynamic extraction (in vitro)

Abstract

We elucidated the effects of dynamic extraction on cytotoxicity and dissolution of metalic biomaterials under stress. The cytotoxicity and dissolution of gold alloy, three types of silver alloy, nickel-chrome alloy, and titanium were examined by gyrating them with alumina balls for seven days in distilled water, Ringer's solution, phosphate buffered saline, minimum essential medium (MEM), or MEM containing 0.4% albumin. The filtrate of the Ag-Sn-Zn alloy was cytotoxic in MEM and MEM containing 0.4% albumin, while the filtrates of the other metallic biomaterials were slightly cytotoxic. Dissolution of metallic biomaterials was increased by addition of amino acids and/or albumin. The wear debris of all the biomaterials except titanium was cytotoxic. It is essential to test biomaterials in simulated environments and to consider the effects of wear debris on the results.