[Study on biocompatibility of carbon-based composites]

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials science
• Materials engineering

Context:

• Carbon/carbon composites (C/C) are advanced materials with potential biomedical applications.
• Surface modification with silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) aims to enhance C/C properties.
• Investigating the biocompatibility of these modified composites is crucial for clinical translation.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the biocompatibility of C/C, C/C-SiC, and C/C-SiO2 composites using in vitro methods.
• To assess the influence of surface particle shedding on biocompatibility testing.
• To determine the reliability of the thiazolyl blue (MTT) assay in the presence of material debris.

Summary:

• Cytotoxicity, direct cell contact, and cell adhesion tests on mouse fibroblasts (L929) indicated no inherent toxicity for C/C, C/C-SiC, and C/C-SiO2.
• Significant particle shedding from C/C-SiO2, followed by C/C and C/C-SiC, was observed over 72 hours.
• Particle shedding negatively impacted MTT assay accuracy, but using filtered extracts maintained evaluation reliability.

Impact:

• The study highlights the critical need to account for particle shedding in biocompatibility assessments of coated composites.
• Findings suggest that filtered extracts are essential for accurate in vitro biocompatibility evaluations of C/C-based materials.
• Results provide guidance for the development and clinical application of advanced carbon-based composites in medicine.