The effect of strontium modified rough titanium surface on biologic response of MC3T3-E1 cells

It has been shown that strontium (Sr) promotes bone formation, reduces bone resorption. In the study, magnetron sputtering method was used for preparing Sr covered on sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) titanium surface. Surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), chemical composition of surface was investigated by X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). MC3T3-Elcells were cultured on Sr-SLA and SLA disks. Cell morphology was studied through confocal laser scanning microscope and SEM. Cell proliferation were measured by MTT assay. Degrees of mineralization and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were calculated and compared. EDS and SEM results indicated that Sr ions were successfully loaded in Sr-SLA surface, whereas, Sr-SLA and SLA surfaces demonstrated similar typical isotropic irregular indentations. The MC3T3-E1 cells developed on Sr-SLA surface showed improved morphology, better proliferation as well as greater differentiation.These findings suggest that the modification with Sr incorporated in moderately rough surface has a favorable biocompatibility.