STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Ti-alloy has been used widely since it was produced in the United States in 1947 because it has high biocompatibility and anticorrosive characteristics. PURPOSE: The pure titanium, however, was used limitedly due to insufficient mechanical charateristics and difficult manufacturing process. Our previous study was focused on the development of a new titanium alloy. In the previous study we found that the Ti-Ta-Nb alloy had better mechanical characteristics and similar anticorrosive characteristics to Ti-6Al-4V. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, the cytotoxicity of the Ti-Ta-Nb alloy was evaluated by MTT assay using MSCs(Mesenchaimal stem cells) and L929 cells(fibroblast cell line). The biocompatibility of the Ti-Ta-Nb alloy was performed by inserting the alloy into the femur of the rabbits and observing the radiological and histological changes surrounding the alloy implant. RESULTS: 1. In the cytotoxicity test using MSCs, the 60% survival rate was observed in pure titanium, 84% in Ti-6Al-4V alloy, and 95% in Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy. 2. In the animal study, the serial follow-up of the radiographs showed no separation or migration revealing gradual bone ingrowth surrounding the implants. Similar radiographic results were obtained among three implant groups: pure titanium, Ti-6Al-4V alloy and Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy. 3. In the histologic examination of the bone block containing the implants. the bone ingrowth was prominent around the implants with the lapse of time. There was no signs of any tissue rejection, degeneration, or inflammation. Active bone ingrowth was observed around the implants. In the comparison of the three groups, the rate of bone ingrowth was better in the Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy group than those in pure titanium group or Ti-6Al-4V alloy group. In conclusion, Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy revealed better biocompatibility in survival rate of the cells and bone ingrowth around the implants. Therefore we believe a newly developed Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy can replace currently used Ti-6Al-4V alloy to increase biocompatibility and to decrease side effects. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy revealed better biocompatibility in survival rate of the cells and bone ingrowth around the implants. Therefore we believe a newly developed Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy can replace currently used Ti-6Al-4V alloy to increase biocompatibility and to decrease side effects.
Alloys* ; Animals ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Inflammation ; Rabbits ; Survival Rate ; Titanium ; United States

BACKGROUND: Over the last decade, the incidence of ultraviolet B (UVB)-related skin problems has increased. Oxidative stress caused by UVB induces the secretion of melanocyte growth and activating factors from keratinocytes, which results in the formation of cutaneous hyperpigmentation. Therefore, increasing the antioxidant abilities of skin cells is thought to be a beneficial strategy for the development of sunscreen agents. Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is an antioxidant enzyme that is known to exhibit antioxidant properties. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of SOD1 on alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and UVB-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells and HRM-2 melanin-possessing hairless mice. METHODS: The inhibitory effect of SOD1 on tyrosinase activity was evaluated in a cell-free system. Additional experiments were performed using B16F10 melanoma cells to demonstrate the effects of SOD1 in vitro, and HRM-2 melanin-possessing hairless mice were used to evaluate the antimelanogenic effects of SOD1 in vivo. RESULTS: We found that SOD1 inhibited melanin production in a dose-dependent manner without causing cytotoxicity in B16F10 melanoma cells. SOD1 did not inhibit tyrosinase activity under cell-free conditions. The results indicate that SOD1 may reduce pigmentation by an indirect, nonenzymatic mechanism. We also found that SOD1 decreased UVB-induced melanogenesis in HRM-2 melanin-possessing hairless mice, as visualized through hematoxylin and eosin staining and Fontana-Masson staining. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that SOD1 has an inhibitory effect on alpha-MSH and UVB-induced melanogenesis, indicating that SOD1 may be a promising sunscreen agent.
alpha-MSH ; Animals ; Cell-Free System ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Hematoxylin ; Hyperpigmentation ; Incidence ; Keratinocytes ; Melanins ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Oxidative Stress ; Pigmentation ; Skin Pigmentation ; Skin* ; Superoxide Dismutase*