Osteoblast adhesion on nanophase ceramics

Osteoblast adhesion on nanophase alumina (Al2O3) and titania (TiO2) was inv estigated in vitro. Osteoblast adhesion to nanophase alumina and titania in the absence of serum from Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) was sign ificantly (P < 0.01) less than osteoblast adhesion to alumina and titania i n the presence of serum. In the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum in DMEM osteoblast adhesion on nanophase alumina (23 nm grain size) rind titania (3 2 nm grain size) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than on conventional alumina (177 nm grain size) and titania (2.12 mu m grain size), respectivel y, after 1, 2, and 4 h. Further investigation of the dependence of osteobla st adhesion on alumina and titania grain size indicated the presence of a c ritical grain size for osteoblast adhesion between 49 and 67 nm for alumina and 32 and 56 nm for titania. The present study provides evidence of the a bility of nanophase alumina and titania to simulate material Characteristic s (such as surface grain size) of physiological bone that enhance protein i nteractions (such as adsorption, configuration, bioactivity, etc.) and subs equent osteoblast adhesion. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser ved.