OBJECTIVEThis preliminary study aims to investigate the effects of titanium and titanium alloy micro-nano-dimensional topography on the biological behavior of osteoblasts in vitro.

METHODSElectrolytic etching (EE) method was used to produce micro-nano dimensional titanium surfaces. The surfaces were observed to determine their effects on the adhesion, proliferation, cell morphology, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of osteoblasts.

RESULTSThe surfaces of the titanium and titanium alloy groups exhibited higher adhesion and proliferation of osteoblasts than those of the mechanical group. The titanium surface was covered with a group of cells, a large number of filopodia, and functional particles. The ALP activity of the titanium group was significantly higher than that of the titanium alloy and mechanical groups.

CONCLUSIONEE method in pure titanium and titanium alloy surfaces result in bowl-like nests and nanostructures of different diameters and depths. The diameters of the pure titanium and titanium alloy surfaces range from 30 to 50 μm and 5 to 8 μm, respectively. The former is more conducive to promote the proliferation and differentiation of cells.