Influence of boron addition to Ti–13Zr–13Nb alloy on MG63 osteoblast cell viability and protein adsorption

Cell proliferation, cell morphology and protein adsorption on near β-type Ti–13Zr–13Nb (TZN) alloy and Ti–13Zr–13Nb–0.5B (TZNB) composite have been investigated and compared to evaluate the effect of boron addition which has been added to the Ti alloy to improve their poor tribological properties by forming in situ TiB precipitates. MG63 cell proliferation on substrates with different chemistry but the same topography was compared. The MTT assay test showed that the cell viability on the TZN alloy was higher than the boron containing TZNB composite after 36 h of incubation and the difference was pronounced after 7 days. However, both the materials showed substantially higher cell attachment than the control (polystyrene). For the same period of incubation in fetal bovine serum (FBS), the amount of protein adsorbed on the surface of boron free TZN samples was higher than that in the case of boron containing TZNB composite. The presence of boron in the TZN alloy influenced protein adsorption and cell response and they are lower in TZNB than in TZN as a result of the associated difference in chemical characteristics. - Highlights: • The influence of boron addition on biocompatibility of Ti–13Zr–13Nb • Boron forms in situ TiB in TZN matrix and decreases cell proliferation on TZN surfaces. • Protein adsorption is lower in TZNB than in TZN. • Compared to TZNB composite, TZN alloy is more suitable for bone grafting applications