Osteoblast function on nanophase alumina materials: Influence of chemistry, phase, and topography

• Published in: Journal of biomedical materials research 2003-12, Vol.67A (4), p.1284-1293
• Main Authors: Price, Rachel L., Gutwein, Luke G., Kaledin, Leonid, Tepper, Frederick, Webster, Thomas J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaline Phosphatase - metabolism; alumina; Aluminum Oxide - chemistry; Aluminum Oxide - metabolism; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Calcium - metabolism; Cell Adhesion - physiology; Cell Division - physiology; Cells, Cultured; Humans; in vitro studies; Materials Testing; Medical sciences; nanophase materials; orthopedic; osteoblast; Osteoblasts - cytology; Osteoblasts - metabolism; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Surface Properties; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments. Material. Instrumentation; X-Ray Diffraction
• ISSN: 1549-3296; 0021-9304; 1552-4965; 1097-4636
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.20011

Alumina is a material that has been used in both dental and orthopedic applications. It is with these uses in mind that osteoblast (bone‐forming cell) function on alumina of varying particulate size, chemistry, and phase was tested in order to determine what formulation might be the most beneficial for bone regeneration. Specifically, in vitro osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, intracellular alkaline phosphatase activity, and calcium deposition was observed on delta‐phase nanospherical, alpha‐phase conventional spherical, and boehmite nanofiber alumina. Results showed for the first time increased osteoblast functions on the nanofiber alumina. Specifically, a 16% increase in osteoblast adhesion over nanophase spherical alumina and a 97% increase over conventional spherical alumina were found for nanofiber alumina after 2 h. A 29% increase in cell number after 5 days and up to a 57% greater amount of calcium was found on the surface of the nanofiber alumina compared with other alumina surfaces. Some of the possible explanations for such enhanced osteoblast behavior on nanofiber alumina may be attributed to chemistry, crystalline phase, and topography. Increased osteoblast function on nanofiber alumina suggests that it may be an ideal material for use in orthopedic and dental applications. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 67A: 1284–1293, 2003