Abstract
A partially fluorine substituted hydroxyapatite- (FHA-) coated Mg-Zn alloy was prepared to investigate the interfacial behavior of degradable Mg-based biomaterials with degradable bioactive coatings in a cell culture environment. Peaks from the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) were characterized and compared before and after cell culture. It was found that Ca-P, including poorly crystalline ion-substituted Ca-deficient HA (CDHA), was formed in greater amounts on the interface of coated samples compared with the uncoated ones. A thermodynamic mechanism for Ca-P formation on biodegradable Mg alloys in a cell culture environment is proposed. Combined with improved cell calcification, the-FHA coated Mg alloys have the ability to promote CDHA formation, as expected thermodynamically. It is suggested that the specific cell culture environment and the bone-like FHA coatings together facilitate the observed behavior. Moreover, cell culture environment probably increased the biomineralization to a detectable level by affecting the kinetics of apatite formation.
Highlights
The biological formation of minerals by living organisms is commonly called biomineralization [1,2,3]
A small number of wider nodules are observed on the Mg-Zn alloy (Figure 1(a)) while a large number of smaller ones can be seen on the fluorine substituted hydroxyapatite- (FHA-)coated alloy (Figure 1(b))
The apparent differences between samples in modified simulated body fluid (m-SBF) immersion test and cell culture environment may indicate the ability of cell culture environment in promoting the biomineralization level
Summary
The biological formation of minerals by living organisms is commonly called biomineralization [1,2,3]. In the use of orthopaedic implants made by Mg-based biodegradable biomaterials, these formations may consist of minerals from the cell side and precipitation from surrounding solutions. Most studies in biodegradable magnesium have paid attention to the behaviors of the cells and surrounding tissues because of the existence of biomaterials. Little effort has been devoted to the changes of the biomaterials’ interface after being used in a cell culture environment. The purpose of the research presented here is trying to characterize the behavior of the interface in a cell culture environment. The behavior was compared with that in the modified simulated body fluid (m-SBF) [4]
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 call
