Effects of Hydrocarbons Contamination on Initial Responses of Osteoblast-like Cells on Acid-Etched Titanium Surface

The purpose of this study is to investigate the initial cellular responses on acid-etched titanium surface with different degrees of hydrocarbons contamination in the atmosphere, with reference to cell adhesion and proliferation in vitro. Acid-etched surfaces were prepared and divided into 4 groups, which were stored in sealed containers for different durations. Scanning electron microscopy, Optical profiler, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements were used to examine surface characterization. MG63 osteoblast-like cells were cultured on these discs, and cell attachment and cell proliferation were analyzed. The results of Scanning electron microscope and Optical Profiler analysis show that the titanium discs used in this experiment share the same surface topography; however, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) examination show that the carbon atomic percentage presented on titanium surface increases with prolonging of storage time, from 25.99% to 48.16%. In addition, the surface changes from being hydrophilic to hydrophobic as the storage time increases. Cell attachment and cell proliferation show better results on the new titanium surface (P<0.05), and the morphology of cells on the new surface also spread wider and better, compared with all the old surfaces. Hydrocarbons contamination on titanium surface significantly affects the bioactivity of acid-etched surfaces. More efforts are needed to improve the storage methods in order to maintain the bioactivity of titanium implant.