Effect of surface modification of titanium mesh on biological behavior in vivo experiments

Abstract

Background: Titanium alloys are widely used in medicine due to their high biocompatibility, corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. However, standard titanium implants have a limited ability to integrate with bone tissue, which can lead to various complications and the need for revision operations. Modification of the implant surface with various biologically active compounds is a promising direction for solving this problem. Among the possible approaches, special attention should be paid to the use of inorganic coatings such as calcium oxides and phosphates, which combine high resistance, corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. Aim: Determining the modification effect of the titanium (Grade 2) mesh surface on the biocompatibility and osseogenic properties of materials with in vivo experiments using the small laboratory animals. Materials and methods: The titanium mesh surface was modified by microarc oxidation in electrolyte with dispersed hydroxyapatite (HAp). The effectiveness of the surface modification was in vivo tested with a trepanation model in the skull of Wistar rats. Results: The formation of a structured regenerate at the bone surface without a significant defect reduction was revealed. The tissue reaction to the implantation of metal meshes in the defect of the parietal bones of the skull was weak, relatively mature dense connective tissue capsules were formed around the meshes, in which vascularization and inflammatory infiltration were minimal, bone regeneration was observed along the defect edges. Surface modification with microarc oxidation led to more pronounced bone regeneration compared to a surface-unmodified mesh. Conclusion: Modification of the surface of the titanium-based mesh by micro-arc oxidation in the electrolyte with dispersed HAp has a positive effect on bone regeneration when closing defects of flat bones.