Development of electrolytic cell with cell-culture for metallic biomaterials

The interface reactions between materials and tissues must be understood to improve the corrosion resistance in vivo and biocompatibility of the materials. Then, we have developed a new electrolytic cell by which electrochemical measurement can be performed during culturing cells on specimen. Open-circuit potential (E_open) and AC impedance of commercially pure titanium at E_open were measured in a cell-culture medium with and without culturing murine fibroblasts L929 and in the medium without proteins. The biomolecule adsorption layer containing proteins and cells was formed on titanium oxide film and worked as a capacitor by preventing the diffusion of molecules. The cell enhanced this prevention.