title: Cellular reactions to biodegradable magnesium alloys on human growth plate chondrocytes and osteoblasts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In recent decades operative fracture treatment using elastic stable intramedullary nails (ESINs) has mainly taken precedence over conservative alternatives in children. The development of biodegradable materials that could be used for ESINs would be a further step towards treatment improvement. Due to its mechanical and elastic properties, magnesium seems to be an ideal material for biodegradable implant application. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the cellular reaction to biodegradable magnesium implants in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary human growth plate chondrocytes and MG63 osteoblasts were used for this study. Viability and metabolic activity in response to the eluate of a rapidly and a slower degrading magnesium alloy were investigated. Furthermore, changes in gene expression were assessed and live cell imaging was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A superior performance of the slower degrading WZ21 alloy's eluate was detected regarding cell viability and metabolic activity, cell proliferation and morphology. However, the ZX50 alloy's eluate induced a favourable up-regulation of osteogenic markers in MG63 osteoblasts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that magnesium alloys for use in biodegradable implant application are well tolerated in both osteoblasts and growth plate chondrocytes respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 5, 8036, Graz, Austria, karin.pichler@medunigraz.at.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pichler
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sadoghi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Musumeci
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Uggowitzer
authors.forename: Annelie M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Weinberg
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000497:Alloys / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D019902:Chondrocytes; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism; D008422:Materials Testing; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D008274:Magnesium