Wettability and cellular response of UV light irradiated anodized titanium surface

PURPOSE: The object of this study was to investigate the effect of UV irradiation (by a general commercial UV sterilizer) on anodized titanium surface. Surface characteristics and cellular responses were compared between anodized titanium discs and UV irradiated anodized titanium discs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Titanium discs were anodized and divided into the following groups: Group 1, anodized (control), and Group 2, anodized and UV irradiated for 24 hours. The surface characteristics including contact angle, roughness, phase of oxide layer, and chemical elemental composition were inspected. The osteoblast-like human osteogenic sarcoma (HOS) cells were cultured on control and test group discs. Initial cellular attachment, MTS-based cell proliferation assay, and ALP synthesis level were compared between the two groups for the evaluation of cellular response. RESULTS: After UV irradiation, the contact angle decreased significantly (P<.001). The surface roughness and phase of oxide layer did not show definite changes, but carbon showed a considerable decrease after UV irradiation. Initial cell attachment was increased in test group (P=.004). Cells cultured on test group samples proliferated more actively (P=.009 at day 2, 5, and 7) and the ALP synthesis also increased in cells cultured on the test group (P=.016 at day 3, P=.009 at day 7 and 14). CONCLUSION: UV irradiation induced enhanced wettability, and increased initial cellular responses of HOS cells on anodized titanium surface.