In vitro evaluation of cell proliferation and collagen synthesis on titanium following plasma electrolytic oxidation

Titania-based coatings produced by plasma electrolytic oxidation are being investigated as bioactive surfaces for titanium implants. In this study, plasma electrolytic oxidation was performed in calcium- and phosphorus-based electrolytes under DC conditions, resulting in coatings of thickness of similar to 8-15 mu m. Coating morphologies, microstructures, and compositions were examined by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, and electron probe microanalysis. The coatings revealed a cratered morphology, with incorporated calcium and phosphorus species. Proliferation rates of primary human osteoblasts cells on the coatings were up to similar to 37% faster than those for uncoated titanium and 316L stainless steel reference materials. Further, the coatings assisted cell adhesion and generation and anchorage of collagen. The amount of collagen was up to similar to 2.4 times greater than for the reference substrates. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 94A: 38-46, 2010