Effect of microstructure of titanium surface on the behaviour of osteogenic cell line MC3T3-E1

Three different microstructures were obtained on a titanium surface via immersion in HCl, H3PO4, or mixed acid of HNO3 and HF (HNO3/HF) solution. The microstructure and Rmax of the acid-treated surfaces were dependent on the acid type and immersion conditions. The growth rate of the osteogenic cell line MC3T3-E1 on each acid-treated sample, which was measured using MTT-formazan assay, was significantly higher than that of the standard which was ground with #400 SiC grit paper. Moreover, both the H3PO4 treated sample and the HNO3/HF-treated surface showed a tendency to enhance the alkaline phosphatase activity of MC3T3-E1 cells, which were grown on each acid-treated surface. These results suggest that the acid treatment of titanium is effective for the improvement of its osteocompatibility.