In vitro response of chondrocytes to a biodegradable Mg–Nd–Zn–Zr alloy

Abstract

The effect of a Mg–Nd–Zn–Zr (JDBM) alloy as a degradable biomedical material on chondrocytes was investigated. Chondrocytes were isolated from rabbit articular cartilage. Direct adhesion experiments show good cell spreading and adhesion on JDBM, CaHPO4-coated JDBM (C-JDBM), and pure Mg. A significantly higher amount of cells was found on C-JDBM compared with the uncoated samples. Indirect cytotoxicity and RT-PCR test results show that C-JDBM has higher absorbance and relative expression levels of collagen II mRNA and aggrecan mRNA compared with JDBM and Mg (p<0.05), respectively; no statistically significant difference was found between JDBM and Mg (p>0.05). The results indicate that the JDBM alloy exhibits an in vitro cytocompatibility with chondrocytes that is similar to that of pure Mg, and that the addition of a CaHPO4 coating provides further protection and improves the performance of the material.