Purpose: To evaluate the cytocompatibility of Co-Cr ceramic alloys after recasting.
Methods: Cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) ceramic alloys were recasted for 1-3 times. Samples of Co-Cr ceramic alloys were immersed in DMEM culture medium. The concentration of ions of leaching liquor was determined by ICP-MS total quantization method. L-929 cells were cultured with leaching liquor, flow cytometry was used to test cell cycle progression, Annexin-V-FITC/PI apoptosis staining kit was used to quantitatively detect cell death patterns. SPSS 13.0 software package was used for statistical analysis.
Results: After casting for 1-3 times, no significant increase in the concentration of ions of Co-Cr ceramic alloys was noted (P>0.05) except Ga (P<0.05) . No significant differences in L-929 cell cycle were found in Co-Cr ceramic alloys between the samples cast for 1 time and for 2~3 times (P>0.05). No significant difference in the rates of apoptosis and necrosis was found (P>0.05).
Conclusions: The biocompatibility of Co-Cr ceramic alloys casted for 1-3 times is not changed.