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Published on: July 1, 2013
The Correlation of Enhanced Osteogenic Capability in Titanium Alloy Implants Through Modulation of the Runx2/BSP
1Department of Stomatology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
We investigated the mechanical properties, biocompatibility and osteogenic potential of titanium alloy implants (Ti6Al4V group) compared to conventional alloy implants (Ti4Al2V group). The mechanical performance tests, including ultimate tensile strength, elongation at break, yield strength and ultimate compressive strength, demonstrated superior results for the titanium alloy implants. In vitro cell experiments, comprising CCK-8 assay and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) staining, revealed significantly higher cell viability and osteogenic activity in the Ti6Al4V group. Additionally, in vivo animal experiments, including HE staining, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence assay. Ti-6Al-4V implants exhibited superior mechanical properties compared with conventional alloy implants, with a higher ultimate tensile strength (1200 ± 50 vs. 950 ± 45 MPa), greater elongation at break (15.2% ± 2.1% vs. 9.8% ± 1.7%), higher compressive yield strength (850 ± 40 vs. 720 ± 35 MPa) and higher ultimate compressive strength (1300 ± 60 vs. 1100 ± 50 MPa) (all p < 0.05). The elastic modulus of Ti-6Al-4V (10.8 ± 0.15 GPa) was lower than that of the conventional alloy (16.2 ± 0.18 GPa), closer to cancellous bone (~4 GPa), suggesting reduced stress shielding. In vitro, Ti-6Al-4V implants supported significantly higher MC3T3-E1 proliferation at 48 h (p < 0.01) and enhanced osteogenic differentiation, with ALP staining intensity of 450 ± 35 vs. 320 ± 28 and a higher percentage of ALP-positive cells (85% ± 4% vs. 60% ± 5%) compared with controls (both p < 0.05). In vivo, H&E staining showed more abundant and better-organised bone trabeculae around Ti-6Al-4V implants, while flow cytometry revealed reduced apoptosis in peri-implant tissues (p < 0.05). At the molecular level, Ti-6Al-4V implants significantly upregulated osteogenic markers: Runx2 protein expression was increased by 33% and BSP by 42% relative to the control alloy, accompanied by higher levels of osteocalcin (OCN) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) (all p < 0.05). Ti4Al2V groupTi4Al2V group. These findings suggest that titanium alloy implants exhibit better biocompatibility and osteogenic capacity than conventional alloy implants, providing a strong foundation for their potential application in clinical settings.
