Influence of living cells (L929) on the biodegradation of magnesium-calcium alloy.

In this study, the influence of living cells (L929) on the in vitro degradation behaviour of a magnesium-calcium alloy was investigated using an electrochemical technique in the Eagle's minimum essential medium (EMEM) with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS) under 5% CO2 atmosphere. The degradation of the alloy increased significantly in the medium containing the cells as compared to that without cells. Post-degradation analysis revealed localized degradation in the vicinity of the cells. It is suggested that the cell metabolic activity has induced local pH drop and as a result increased the alloy degradation.