In vivo analysis of tissue response to plasma-treated collagen-I-coated titanium alloys.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo tissue response to low-pressure plasma-pretreated collagen-I-coated titanium implant in a middle-term mouse model.


METHODS
Plasma-treated collagen-coated titanium implants were transplanted into the dorsal skinfold chambers of BALB/c mice. Untreated, regular titanium implant material served as control. The neovascularization (functional vessel density) of the implant border zone and of the surrounding muscle tissue was analysed by intravital fluorescence microscopy. Additional histological analysis was performed to observe the inflammatory reaction.


RESULTS
Statistical analysis revealed that the vessel density in the border zone of the implants was significantly enhanced in the plasma-treated collagen-I-coated group compared to controls. The histological examination of the two groups confirmed that the inflammatory response to the collagen-coated titanium implants was reduced compared to controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma pretreatment and collagen I coating of titanium implant material leads to an enhanced tissue vascularization and a reduced inflammatory response.
Hauser
Jörg
J
Department of Plastic Surgery, BG Trauma Center Bergmannsheil University Hospital, Bochum, Germany. joerg.hauser@rub.de
Ring
A
A
Schaffran
A
A
Henrich
L
L
Esenwein
S A
SA
Steinau
H U
HU
Stricker
I
I
Langer
S
S
D000497:Alloys; D000818:Animals; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000009:adverse effects; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D020007:Implants, Experimental / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D014025:Titanium / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000497:Alloys; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D024042:Collagen Type I; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D014025:Titanium