Grade-1 titanium soaked in a DMEM solution at 37°C

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Cell Culture Technology

Background:

• Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) is crucial for in vitro cell culture and biomaterial biocompatibility assessment.
• Previous studies on DMEM-based biomimetic coatings often used formulations with phenol red and sodium pyruvate, yielding different results.
• Alkali-treated titanium (Ti) is a promising biomaterial, but its surface interactions require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the biomimetic coating of alkali-treated grade-1 titanium substrates using a specific Hepes-buffered, phenol red- and sodium pyruvate-free DMEM.
• To compare the coating results with previous studies using different DMEM formulations.
• To explore the use of a simulated inorganic solution for biomimetic coating.

Main Methods:

• Immersion of alkali-treated grade-1 Ti substrates in Hepes-buffered, phenol red- and sodium pyruvate-free DMEM at 37°C.
• Analysis of deposited coatings using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
• Utilizing a simulated inorganic solution with similar ion concentrations to DMEM for coating experiments.

Main Results:

• Deposition of X-ray-amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) on grade-1 Ti substrates within one to two weeks of immersion in the specialized DMEM.
• Comparison with previous studies showing cryptocrystalline apatitic calcium phosphate (Ap-CaP) deposition when using different DMEM formulations.
• Successful deposition of ACP on grade-1 Ti substrates within 24 hours using the simulated inorganic solution.

Conclusions:

• The formulation of DMEM significantly influences the type of calcium phosphate deposit formed on alkali-treated titanium.
• Hepes-buffered, phenol red- and sodium pyruvate-free DMEM promotes the formation of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP).
• A simulated inorganic solution can effectively induce ACP deposition on titanium, offering a simplified approach.