Nanostructured magnesium has fewer detrimental effects on osteoblast function

Abstract

Efforts have been made recently to implement nanoscale surface features on magnesium, a biodegradable metal, to increase bone formation. Compared with normal magnesium, nanostructured magnesium has unique characteristics, including increased grain boundary properties, surface to volume ratio, surface roughness, and surface energy, which may influence the initial adsorption of proteins known to promote the function of osteoblasts (boneforming cells). Previous studies have shown that one way to increase nanosurface roughness on magnesium is to soak the metal in NaOH. However, it has not been determined if degradation of magnesium is altered by creating nanoscale features on its surface to influence osteoblast density. The aim of the present in vitro study was to determine the influence of degradation of nanostructured magnesium, created by soaking in NaOH, on osteoblast density. Our results showed a less detrimental effect of magnesium degradation on osteoblast density when magnesium was treated with NaOH to create nanoscale surface features. The detrimental degradation products of magnesium are of significant concern when considering use of magnesium as an orthopedic implant material, and this study identified a surface treatment, ie, soaking in NaOH to create nanoscale features for magnesium that can improve its use in numerous orthopedic applications.

Magnesium and Osteoporosis: Current State of Knowledge and Future Research Directions

“…Accordingly, a neutralizing diet improves bone micro-architecture and bone mineral density [52]. It is therefore feasible that part of the effects of Mg on the skeleton is due to its capability to act as a buffer for the acid produced by the typical western diet [53]. …”

Effect of magnesium ion on human osteoblast activity

“…Hong et al ( 4 ) directly cultured a murine osteoblast-like cell line (MC3T3) on Mg-4 wt.% Zn-0.5 wt.% Zr (ZK40) alloy and found favorable cell viability and attachment. Weng et al ( 5 ) reported that nanostructured magnesium could influence the initial adsorption of proteins known to promote the function of osteoblasts. Furthermore, a clear stimulation of cell proliferation and an enhancement of the mitochondrial respiratory activity were observed when mouse osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) were cultured with a fluoride surface-modified AZ31 magnesium alloy (AZ31HF), compared to bare-coated ones ( 6 ).…”

Nanofiber-microsphere (nano-micro) matrices for bone regenerative engineering: a convergence approach toward matrix design

“…Furthermore, these intraporous nanofibers may augment the scaffold in two additional ways: these fibers may assist in the migration of cells throughout the scaffold and they may provide cells with additional surface area on which to lay down their own ECM. The second positive effect of providing additional surface area may be further expanded because osteoblasts are known to sense the underlying nanoscale features of their substrate and adjust their function accordingly [ 16 ]. Recently, Brown et al [ 17 ] described a scaffold system that brought together sintered poly(phosphazene) microspheres and synthetic ECM-mimetic nanofibers.…”