Effect of hydrothermally treated anodic oxide films on osteoblast attachment and proliferation

In this study, the effect of anodization following hydrothermal treatments on osteoblast cell attachment and proliferation were evaluated. The anodic oxide films produced in this study was observed to exhibit overlapping microporous structures with microprojections. In addition, the anodic oxide surfaces were significantly rougher in comparison to control untreated titanium (Ti) surfaces. Following hydrothermal treatments for 2 and 4 h, hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals were observed on anodic surfaces. Using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, no significant difference in the biocompatibility of the treated and untreated Ti surfaces was observed. However, scanning electron micrographs indicated rounded osteoblast cells on control and anodized Ti surfaces, with numerous microvilli after 6 h. In contract, cells cultured on hydrothermally treated surfaces after 6 h incubation were observed to exhibit polygonal shape, flattened, and fully spread. In addition, more cells were observed on Ti surfaces that were hydrothermally treated for 4 h as compared to Ti surfaces that were hydrothermally treated for 2 h. After culturing the cells for 24 h and 4 days, no significant difference was observed for cells cultured on all surfaces. It was concluded from this study that hydrothermally treated surfaces exhibited an effect on early osteoblast attachment.