Cytotoxicity of Alumina and Calcium Hexaluminate: Test Conditions

Tissue Engineering involves the proposal for tissue repair using biomaterials: materials used in biomedical applications in order to regenerate tissues or restore their functions. To verify the viability of biomaterials, one must consider their biological performance, that is, their interaction with the organism, including properties related to biofunctionality and biocompatibility. Initial biocompatibility tests are carried out with cytotoxicity evaluation. However, although the test conditions for cytotoxicity tests are standardized, some studies present divergent data regarding the cytotoxicity of biomaterials. Sample preparation conditions and test conditions can directly affect the results. The objective of the present work is to evaluate different cytotoxicity conditions of alumina (Al₂O₃) and calcium hexaluminate (CA₆) samples as a function of the variables: sample washing conditions, sample size and total test time. The biomaterial samples were positioned on a Vero cell confluent monolayer. In order to verify cell morphology, it was used inverted microscopy with phase contrast. The results indicate that both alumina and washed alumina are viable and non-cytotoxic. The hexaluminate presented slight cytotoxicity, in different experimental conditions.