[Morphological transformation of BHK-21 cells by nickel titanium shape memory alloy particles encapsulated by...

The special treatment process formed a compact titanium oxide thin film on the surface of medical nickel titanium shape memory alloy (NiTiSMA) particles (< or = 5 microns). The BHK-21 cells were cultivated in 10% infant calf serum containing NiTiSMA particles and NiTiSMA particles encapsulated by titanium oxide respectively, and morphological transformation clones were observed. The results showed that NiTiSMA particles induced obviously morphological transformation clones, and that NiTiSMA particles induced obviously morphorogical transformation of BHK-21 cells (the rate of morphological transformation clones was 13.46%), especially in TPA medium. The rate of morphological transformation in the group containing NiTiSMA particles was not more significantly different than that in the positive control group. The rate of morphological transformation in the group containing NiTiSMA particles encapsulated by titanium oxide was not more significantly different than that in the negative control group, but significantly different than that in the NiTiSMA particles group. Therefore, it is possible that NiTiSMA particles are directly carcinogenic and that NiTiSMA particles encapsulated by titanium oxide are not potentially carcinogenic.