Cholecalciferol synthesized after UV-activation of 7-dehydrocholesterol onto titanium implants inhibits osteoclastogenesis in vitro.

UV-activated 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) has been successfully used as a biocompatible coating for titanium (Ti) implants producing active vitamin D with positive effect on osteoblast differentiation. Since an osseointegrating implant must promote bone formation while delay resorption, here we determine the effect of this coating on the pre-osteoclast cell line RAW 264.7. Moreover, D3 synthesis was optimized by (1) the supplementation with VitE of the 7-DHC coating to reduce 7-DHC oxidation and (2) the addition of an incubation step (48 h at 23°C) after UV-irradiation to favor isomerization. In vitro results with RAW264.7 cells showed no cytotoxic effect of the coatings and a significant decrease of osteoclastogenesis. Indeed, TRAP immunostaining suggested an inhibition of Trap-positive multinucleated cells and the mRNA levels of different phenotypic, fusion, and activity markers were reduced, particularly with 7-DHC:VitE. In conclusion, we demonstrate an improvement of the D3 synthesis from UV-activated 7-DHC when combined with VitE and show that these implants inhibit osteoclastogenesis in vitro.