Impact of exposure of human osteoblast cells to titanium dioxide particles in-vitro

Titanium Dental implant is the most successful treatment modality to replace missing teeth today. Although titanium is considered biologically biocompatible, strong, and corrosion-free, the risk of implant failure continues due to bone loss at the expense of optimum oral health. Current research points toward the presence of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles leached from dental implant surface, which occurred due to mechanical and chemical insults on the surface. This study aimed to investigate the influence of TiO₂ particles of different sizes leaching from implant surfaces on Human Osteoblast cells (HOB) in-vitro. Titanium dioxide particles in both nano (NPs) and micro (MPs) size and at different concentrations were introduced to human osteoblast cells with and without treatment with vitamin C. Production of ROS was measured using H2DCFDA cellular ROS Assay Kit and MCP-1 and IL-8 cytokines released were assayed at 24 h time point using ELISA technique. Results showed a dose dependent increase in ROS production following exposure of HOB to both nano and micro particles. MCP-1 and IL-8 were released and there was minimal difference between the amount generated by nano compared with micro size particles. Treatment of HOB with antioxidant vitamin C demonstrated a significant reduction in the generation of ROS. At the same time, MCP-1 release was reduced significantly for the 100 μg/mL TiO₂ NPs and MPs after Vitamin C treatment while IL-8 release increased significantly. This study suggests a positive role played by antioxidants in the control of ROS generation and chemokines production in the peri-implant tissue environment.