Trabecular Titanium for Orthopedic Applications: Balancing Antimicrobial with Osteoconductive Properties by Varying Silver Contents
Anna Díez-Escudero, Elin Carlsson, Brittmarie Andersson, Josef D. Järhult, Nils P. Hailer
Abstract
. Importantly, all silver-coated titanium scaffolds supported primary human osteoblasts proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization up to 28 days. A slight reduction of cell metabolic activity was observed at earlier time points, but no detrimental effects were found at the end of the culture period. Silver release from the silver-coated scaffolds also had no measurable effects on primary osteoblast gene expression since similar expression of genes related to osteogenesis was observed regardless the presence of silver. The investigated silver-coated porous titanium scaffolds may thus enhance osseointegration while reducing the risk of biofilm formation by the most common clinically encountered pathogens.