Biocompatibility Assessment of Novel Bioresorbable Alloys Mg-Zn-Se and Mg-Zn-Cu for Endovascular Applications: In- Vitro Studies.

Previous studies have shown that using biodegradable magnesium alloys such as Mg-Zn and Mg-Zn-Al possess the appropriate mechanical properties and biocompatibility to serve in a multitude of biological applications ranging from endovascular to orthopedic and fixation devices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of novel as-cast magnesium alloys Mg-1Zn-1Cu wt.% and Mg-1Zn-1Se wt.% as potential implantable biomedical materials, and compare their biologically effective properties to a binary Mg-Zn alloy. The cytotoxicity of these experimental alloys was evaluated using a tetrazolium based- MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay and a lactate dehydrogenase membrane integrity assay (LDH). The MTS assay was performed on extract solutions obtained from a 30-day period of alloy immersion and agitation in simulated body fluid to evaluate the major degradation products eluted from the alloy materials. Human foreskin fibroblast cell growth on the experimental magnesium alloys was evaluated for a 72 hour period, and cell death was quantified by measuring lactate dehydrogenase concentrations. Both Mg-Zn-Se and Mg-Zn-Cu alloys exhibit low cytotoxicity levels which are suitable for biomaterial applications. The Mg-Zn-Cu alloy was found to completely degrade within 72 hours, resulting in lower human foreskin fibroblast cell viability. The Mg-Zn-Se alloy was shown to be less cytotoxic than both the Mg-Zn-Cu and Mg-Zn alloys.

Mechanical Properties and Tensile Failure Analysis of Novel Bio-absorbable Mg-Zn-Cu and Mg-Zn-Se Alloys for Endovascular Applications.

In this paper, the mechanical properties and tensile failure mechanism of two novel bio-absorbable as-cast Mg-Zn-Se and Mg-Zn-Cu alloys for endovascular medical applications are characterized. Alloys were manufactured using an ARC melting process and tested as-cast with compositions of Mg-Zn-Se and Mg-Zn-Cu, being 98/1/1 wt.% respectively. Nanoindentation testing conducted at room temperature was used to characterize the elastic modulus (E) and surface hardness (H) for both the bare alloys and the air formed oxide layer. As compared to currently available shape memory alloys and degradable as-cast alloys, these experimental alloys possess superior as-cast mechanical properties that can increase their biocompatibility, degradation kinetics, and the potential for medical device creation.

In Vitro Degradation Behavior of Ternary Mg-Zn-Se and Mg-Zn-Cu Alloys as Biomaterials.

In this study, the corrosion behavior of Mg-Zn-Se and Mg-Zn-Cu alloys was investigated to evaluate their corrosion behavior related to use as implantable biomaterials. The corrosion behavior of these alloys and a commercially available Mg-Zn alloy were examined using static solution electrochemical testing, dynamic solution gravimetric testing, ion leaching testing, and microscopic evaluation. Fluctuations in the pH of the Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM) used for the gravimetric and ion leaching immersion testing were also recorded over the 30-day duration to assess whether the media conditions induced by the alloy degradation would permit for cellular survival. Weight loss experimentation and electrochemical tests revealed the Mg-Zn-Cu alloy to have the greatest corrosion rate.