Cytotoxicity of nickel-chromium alloys: bulk alloys compared to multiple ion salt solutions.
OBJECTIVE
Nickel-based alloys have been in use since the 1930s; however, there are concerns regarding the biocompatibility of the metallic ions released from these alloys to surrounding tissues. The objective of this study was to better understand nickel-based alloy cytotoxicity as well as determine if multiple ion salt solutions can be used to model the cytotoxic effects of bulk implant alloys.


METHODS
This study evaluated cellular morphology, viability, membrane integrity, and alterations in metabolic activity, including DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, oxygen consumption, intracellular ATP levels, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in response to bulk alloys and multiple ion salt solutions.


RESULTS
Over a 24- or 72-h exposure time, the nickel-based alloys released a total ion concentration in the parts per billion range and caused alterations in DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, intracellular ATP levels, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Interestingly, cellular responses to the salt solutions representing the ions released from the alloys were not consistently significantly similar to those elicited from the alloys.


CONCLUSIONS
From these studies, it was shown that a number of cellular functions are altered in response to ions released from these implant alloys. However, cellular functions were not similarly altered in response to salt solutions representing the ions released from the alloys. These results demonstrated salt solutions cannot be easily used to represent alloy cytotoxicity, and ionic release from alloys is a complex process dependent on variables including ion chemistry, ion valence, and dose-time dependence. This study provides a better understanding of the metabolic response of fibroblasts to ions released from dental alloys; and is a good first step towards developing a more reliable cell culture model of cytotoxicity.
Messer
R L
RL
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1075, 13th Street South, 370 Hoehn, Birmingham, AL 35294-4440, USA. messer52@eng.uab.edu
Lucas
L C
LC
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001608:Beryllium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002857:Chromium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D002858:Chromium Alloys / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D017942:Nitric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D011506:Proteins; D014867:Water; D002857:Chromium; D017942:Nitric Acid; D012313:RNA; D009532:Nickel; D008982:Molybdenum; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D004247:DNA; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D001608:Beryllium