Short-term microvascular response of striated muscle to cp-Ti, Ti-6Al-4V, and Ti-6Al-7Nb.
Due to excellent mechanical properties and good corrosion resistance, titanium-aluminium-vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) and titanium-aluminium-niobium (Ti-6Al-7Nb) are extensively used for orthopedic surgery. Concern has been voiced concerning the implications of the constituent vanadium in Ti-6Al-4V on the surrounding environment. Particularly in osteosynthesis where the alloys stand in direct contact to skeletal muscle, undesirable biologic reactions may have severe consequences. In a comparative study, we assessed in vivo nutritive perfusion and leukocytic response of striated muscle to the metals Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-7Nb, and commercially pure titanium (cpTi), thereby drawing conclusions on their short-term inflammatory potential. In 28 hamsters, utilizing the dorsal skinfold chamber preparation and intravital microscopy, we quantified primary and secondary leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction, leukocyte extravasation, microvascular diameter change, and capillary perfusion in collecting and postcapillary venules of skeletal muscle. A manifest discrepancy between the metals concerning impact on local microvascular parameters was not found. All metals induced an only transient and moderate inflammatory response. Only a slight increase in leukocyte recruitment and a more sluggish recuperation of inflammatory parameters in animals treated with Ti-6Al-4V compared to the other two metals suggested a minor, overall not significant discrepancy in biocompatibility. Gross toxicity of bulk Ti-6Al-4V on surrounding tissue could not be found. Conclusively, the commonly used biomaterials Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-7Nb, and cpTi induce an only transient inflammatory answer of the skeletal muscle microvascular system. Our results indicate that on the microvascular level the tested bulk Ti-alloys and cpTi do not cause adverse biologic reactions in striated muscle.
Pennekamp
Peter H
PH
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany. peter.pennekamp@uni-bonn.de
Gessmann
Jan
J
Diedrich
Oliver
O
Burian
Björn
B
Wimmer
Markus A
MA
Frauchiger
Vinzenz M
VM
Kraft
Clayton N
CN
D000497:Alloys / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008647:Mesocricetus; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C070282:Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D014025:Titanium