Magnesium alloy for next generation of biologically-informed biodegradable orthopaedic implants

Although magnesium alloys have been explored intensively for application as biodegradable metal implants, there is lack of understanding of the biological response to its corrosion products and the correlation between corrosion behaviour and local tissue repair process at the implantation site. The aim of the study was to develop a reliable in vitro testing method for biodegradable implants that closely emulates the in vivo environment and to investigate the response of mesenchymal stem cells, osteoclasts, skeletal muscle cells and monocytes to both soluble (Mg ions) and insoluble (corrosion granule) corrosion products. This study has revealed that the presence of the corrosion products significantly altered the cells’ metabolic and proliferative activities. This influence on metabolic activities also affected cell fusion/differentiation. [Continues.]