Quantitative in vivo biocompatibility of new ultralow‐nickel cobalt–chromium–molybdenum alloys

Abstract

Nickel (Ni) eluted from metallic biomaterials is widely accepted as a major cause of allergies and inflammation. To improve the safety of cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloy implants, new ultralow-Ni Co-Cr-Mo alloys with and without zirconium (Zr) have been developed, with Ni contents of less than 0.01%. In the present study, we investigated the biocompatibility of these new alloys in vivo by subcutaneously implanting pure Ni, conventional Co-Cr-Mo, ultralow-Ni Co-Cr-Mo, and ultralow-Ni Co-Cr-Mo with Zr wires into the dorsal sides of mice. After 3 and 7 days, tissues around the wire were excised, and inflammation; the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α; and Ni, Co, Cr, and Mo ion release were analyzed using histological analyses, qRT-PCR, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. Significantly larger amounts of Ni eluted from pure Ni wires than from the other wires, and the degree of inflammation depended on the amount of eluted Ni. Although no significant differences in inflammatory reactions were identified among new alloys and conventional Co-Cr-Mo alloys in histological and qRT-PCR analyses, ICP-MS analysis revealed that Ni ion elution from ultralow-Ni Co-Cr-Mo alloys with and without Zr was significantly lower than from conventional Co-Cr-Mo alloys. Our study, suggests that the present ultralow-Ni Co-Cr-Mo alloys with and without Zr have greater safety and utility than conventional Co-Cr-Mo alloys. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1505-1513, 2016.

Biohybrid cardiac ECM-based hydrogels improve long term cardiac function post myocardial infarction

“…In vitro, the pcECM-based gels did not stimulate a macrophage cell line, as indicated by basal levels of NO secretion as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines expression. Similar results were obtained in vivo, where-following gel injection-the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the inguinal lymph nodes did not increase as much as expected in an inflammatory reaction, [32,33] and the cytokines levels in the blood were similar to control. In addition, CBC measures, previously reported as another relevant indicator for toxicity, [53] did not change throughout the experiment.…”

“…IL-1β expression levels were elevated in the Gel A group after 4 weeks, expression levels were elevated in the Gel A group after 4 weeks, however, this three-fold increase is minor in terms of IL-1β gene expression, since its expression usually increases more dramatically (>6 times) when an inflammatory reaction is induced. [32,33] Blood cytokines levels were also similar to the control in both treatments (table S2).…”

Fabrication of 3D microdevices from planar electroplating for the isolation of cancer associated cells in blood

“…Among different available materials for electroplating, we selected Nickel as it has already been used for biomedical applications [13,14]. All electrochemical depositions were performed using a RENA electroplating tool and NB SEMIPLATE NI 100 electrolytical bath (Microchemicals GmbH) at a current density of 5 and 20mA.cm -2 for the 5 and 150µm thick layers respectively.…”

A Comparative Electrochemical and Morphological Investigation on the Behavior of NiCr and CoCr Dental Alloys at Various Temperatures

“…The increase in dental health problems related to electrochemical dealloying supports [29] the need of such a complete study. The alternative of less incriminated metals is good to promote [30]. Based on an electrochemical stability research at various temperatures, together with a morphology, elemental composition and ions release determination, a helpful conclusion in properly selecting alloys as a function of exploitation conditions and preserving metallic dental works could be established and proposed.…”

“…Simultaneously with the trend to eliminate CoCr and NiCr use due to toxicological risks evidenced in EU regulations which has a relatively slow rate, more evaluation of their ion release seems to be worthy of investigation more recently [31]. Examples include alternative strategies to reduce heavy metals risk for dental health improving the CoCr alloys' quality by changing their composition [30], coating their surface [32] and new advanced technologies in obtaining CoCr for dentistry [33], as an expression of Health Research and Development [34].…”