Abstract
Modification of the titanium (Ti) surface is widely known to influence biological reactions such as protein adsorption and bacterial adhesion in vivo, ultimately controlling osseointegration. In this study, we sought to investigate the correlation of protein adsorption and bacterial adhesion with the nanoporous structure of acid-alkali-treated Ti implants, shedding light on the modification of Ti implants to promote osseointegration. We fabricated nontreated porous Ti (NTPT) by powder metallurgy and immersed it in mixed acids and NaOH to obtain acid-alkali-treated porous Ti (AAPT). Nontreated dense sample (NTDT) served as control. Our results showed that nanopores were formed after acid-alkali treatment. AAPT showed a higher specific surface area and became much more hydrophilic than NTPT and NTDT (p < 0.001). Compared to dense samples, porous samples exhibited a lower zeta potential and higher adsorbed protein level at each time point within 120 min (p < 0.001). AAPT formed a thicker protein layer by serum precoating than NTPT and NTDT (p < 0.001). The main adsorbed proteins on AAPT and NTPT were albumin, α1 antitrypsin, transferrin, apolipoprotein A1, complement C3 and haptoglobin α1 chain. The amounts of bacteria adhering to the serum-precoated samples were lower than those adhering to the nonprecoated samples (p < 0.05). Lower-molecular-weight proteins showed higher affinity to porous Ti. In conclusion, acid-alkali treatment facilitated protein adsorption by porous Ti, and the protein coating tended to prevent bacteria from adhering. These findings may be utilized for Ti implant modification aimed at reducing bacterial adhesion and enhancing osseointegration.Graphical abstract
Highlights
Ti and its alloys have been widely used in the dental field due to their superior mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility [1]
Commercially available pure Ti powder (50 μm, Baoji Titanium Industry, China) and highly pure NH4HCO3 powder, which served as the temporary space holder, were sufficiently blended in a V-blender for 20 h and subsequently cold compacted into cylindrical samples (16 mm × 20 mm, ∅ × h) using a hydraulic press at a pressure of 100 MPa
The samples were divided into three groups, i.e., alkali-treated porous Ti (AAPT), nontreated porous Ti (NTPT) and nontreated dense Ti (NTDT)
Summary
Ti and its alloys have been widely used in the dental field due to their superior mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility [1]. Rapid adsorption of protein onto implant surfaces upon contact with blood is the trigger event after implant placement [2, 3]. The adsorbed protein mediates and influences subsequent biological reactions that control osseointegration [4]. A thorough understanding of the protein adsorption mechanism between blood and Ti implant surfaces is necessary to predict biological behavior and to guide modification of the implant. The type, amount and conformation/orientation of adsorbed proteins are largely controlled by the implant surface properties, including surface topography, roughness, chemistry, wettability and charge [2]. A variety of proteins from blood or serum are competitively adsorbed on surfaces to form a composite layer when a biomaterial is implanted [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
