The effect of nanotubular titanium surfaces on osteoblast differentiation.

The biological response of fetal rat calvarial cells on a TiO2 nanotubular surface (Ti-NT) was evaluated by cell viability assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The cell viability assay showed no significant difference between the Ti-NT and smooth titanium surfaces (Ti-S). Ti-NT had better cellular responses with regard to the ALP activity and bone-associated markers, such as bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin mRNA than Ti-S. These results suggest that Ti-NT stimulate the differentiation into osteoblasts of fetal rat calvarial cells, potentially contributing to rapid osseointegration.