The effects of particulate metals on cell viability of osteoblast-like cells in vitro.

Effects of fifteen particulate objects, fourteen metals and one non-metal on cell viability of osteoblast-like cells were studied in vitro, to determine whether an adverse effect on cells could be induced by the particulate form or soluble ions. The Al, Ti, Zr, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and Fe particulates depressed cell viability at higher particulate concentrations, but their extracts yielded no effect on cells except for Mo. On the other hand, little difference in cell viability between particulates and extracts was observed for Cu, Si, V, W, and Co. However, Mn and Ni yielded more adverse effects on cells in the case of the particulates than the extracts. These findings suggested that the effects of particulates on cells depended upon the direct effects of contact between particulates and cells, the indirect effects of dissolved ions and the kinds of particulate elements.