In vitro bioactivity investigations of Ti-15Mo alloy after electrochemical surface modification

Titanium and its aluminum and vanadium-free alloys have especially great potential for medical applications. Electrochemical surface modification improves their surface bioactivity and stimulates osseointegration process. In this work, the effect of plasma electrolytic oxidation of the β-type alloy Ti-15Mo surface on its bioactivity is presented. Bioactivity of the modified alloy was investigated by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). Biocompatibility of the modified alloys were tested using human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC) and wild intestinal strains (DV/A, DV/B, DV/I/1) of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans bacteria. The particles of apatite were formed on the anodized samples. Human BMSC cells adhered well on all the examined surfaces and expressed ALP, collagen, and produced mineralized matrix as determined after 10 and 21 days of culture. When the samples were inoculated with D. desulfuricans bacteria, only single bacteria were visible on selected samples. There were no obvious changes in surface morphology among samples. Colonization and bacterial biofilm formation was observed on as-ground sample. In conclusion, the surface modification improved the Ti-15Mo alloy bioactivity and biocompatibility and protected surface against colonization of the bacteria. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 903-913, 2016.