The Bone Tissue Compatibility of a New Ti35Nb2Ta3Zr Alloy with a Low Young's Modulus

Titanium (Ti) alloys of the β-type are highly attractive metallic materials for biomedical applications due to their low elastic modulus, high corrosion resistance and notable biocompatibility. A new β-type Ti35Nb2Ta3Zr alloy with a low Young's modulus of approximately 48 GPa was previously fabricated. In the present study, the biocompatibility of this alloy was evaluated. In an in vitro assay, the Ti35Nb2Ta3Zr alloy did not markedly affect the adhesion of MG63 osteoblast cells, but it increased their proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition and mRNA expression of osteogenic genes (i.e., ALP, osteocalcin, osteopontin). In an in vivo study, no marked histological differences were observed between the new bone formed on the surface of Ti35Nb2Ta3Zr and that formed on the surface of control Ti6Al4V rods placed in the medullary canal of rabbit femurs. Additionally, no significant differences were observed in the failure load of Ti35Nb2Ta3Zr and Ti6Al4V in pull-out tests. In conclusion, the Ti35Nb2Ta3Zr alloy with a lower elastic modulus closer to that of human bone has significant bone tissue compatibility equal to that of Ti6Al4V, which has been widely used in orthopedic applications.