Biological evaluation of partially stabilized zirconia added HA/HDPE composites with osteoblast and fibroblast cell lines

In the present study, the biocompatibility of partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) added hydroxyapatite (HA)-high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites was evaluated by proliferation and cell attachment assays on two osteoblast cell lines (G-292, Saos-2) and a type of fibroblast cell isolated from bone tissue namely HBF in different time intervals. Cell-material interactions on the surface of the composites were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of composites on the behavior of osteoblast and fibroblast cells was compared with those of HDPE and Tissue Culture Poly Styrene (TPS) (as negative control) samples. Results showed that the composite samples supported a higher proliferation rate of osteoblast cells in the presence of composite samples as compared to the HDPE and TPS samples after 3, 7 and 14 days of incubation period. It was showed that an equal or in some cases an even higher proliferation rate of G-292 and Saos-2 osteoblast cells on composite samples in compare to negative controls in culture period (P <0.05). The number of adhered cells on the composite samples was equal and in some cases higher than the number adhered on the HDPE and TPS samples after the above mentioned incubation periods (P <0.05). Adhered cells presented a normal morphology by SEM and many of the cells were seen to be undergoing cell division.