[Research on bioactivity of magnesium and its alloys]

Magnesium is an essential microelement which is not harmful to human body. As a light-weight metal with properties similar to natural bone, magnesium material possesses the characteristics of its degradability, little biotoxicity, as well as its regulatory strength and controllable degradation-speed. After the tissue has healed sufficiently, the burden of a second surgical procedure can be avoided. Therefore, there is need of investigation on the possible use of magnesium and its alloys as medical biomaterials, and the study of its bioactivity is the foundation of further application. This article reviews the bioactivity of magnesium and its alloys.