In vitro studies on the role of titanium in aseptic loosening

This study was designed to define the role titanium debris plays in aseptic loosening. Macrophages exposed to commercially pure titanium (1-3 microns) exhibit the same mediator profile as those exposed to polymethylmethacrylate. This response consists of increased release of tumor necrosis factor but not prostaglandin E 2 or interleukin-1. Osteoblasts increase production of prostaglandin E 2 when exposed to media from titanium stimulated macrophages but not interleukin-6 or granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor. Media from macrophages exposed to titanium did not lead to bone resorption, as measured by calcium 45 release, in organ culture. The cellular response to titanium is characterized by release of tumor necrosis factor from macrophages and prostaglandin E 2 from osteoblasts exposed to the macrophage conditioned medium. A comparison of the results of this study with those of others involving exposure of macrophages in tissue culture suggests that titanium may not be as inflammatory as other particles in the aseptically loose joint.