Effects of AISI 316L corrosion products in in vitro bone formation

High-manganese and nitrogen stabilized austenitic stainless steel (Fe-18Cr-22Mn-0.65N): a material with a bright future for orthopedic implant devices

The rationale behind the success of nickel free or with extremely low nickel austenitic high manganese and nitrogen stabilized stainless steels is adverse influences of nickel ion on human body. Replacement of nickel by nitrogen and manganese provides a stable microstructure and facilitates better biocompatibility in respect of the conventional 316L austenitic stainless steel (316L SS). In this investigation, biocompatibility of the high-manganese and nitrogen stabilized (Fe-18Cr-22Mn-0.65N) austenitic stainless steel was studied and found highly promising.In vitrocell culture and cell proliferation (MTT) assays were performed on this stainless steel and assessed in respect of the 316L SS. Both the steels exhibited similar cell growth behavior. Furthermore, an enhancement was observed in cell proliferation on the Fe-18Cr-22Mn-0.65N SS after surface modification by ultrasonic shot peening (USP). The mean percent proliferation of the MG-63 cells increased from ≈88% for Un-USP to 98% and 105% for USP 3-2 and USP 2-2 samples, respectively for 5 d of incubation. Interestingly,in vivoanimal study performed in rabbits for 3 and 6 weeks showed callus formation and sign of union without any allergic reaction.

Osteoinduction and long-term osseointegration promoted by combined effects of nitrogen and manganese elements in high nitrogen nickel-free stainless steel

High nitrogen nickel-free stainless steel promoted osteoinduction and long-term osseointegration of implants by combined effects of N and Mn elements.

Significance of nano- and microtopography for cell-surface interactions in orthopaedic implants

Cell-surface interactions play a crucial role for biomaterial application in orthopaedics. It is evident that not only the chemical composition of solid substances influence cellular adherence, migration, proliferation and differentiation but also the surface topography of a biomaterial. The progressive application of nanostructured surfaces in medicine has gained increasing interest to improve the cytocompatibility and osteointegration of orthopaedic implants. Therefore, the understanding of cell-surface interactions is of major interest for these substances. In this review, we elucidate the principle mechanisms of nano- and microscale cell-surface interactions in vitro for different cell types onto typical orthopaedic biomaterials such as titanium (Ti), cobalt-chrome-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloys, stainless steel (SS), as well as synthetic polymers (UHMWPE, XLPE, PEEK, PLLA). In addition, effects of nano- and microscaled particles and their significance in orthopaedics were reviewed. The significance for the cytocompatibility of nanobiomaterials is discussed critically.

Osteoblast-like cell response to calcium phosphate coating chemistry and morphology on etched silicon surfaces

Being able to control the behaviour of osteoblast-like cells on a surface may provide a genuine insight into the material surface characteristics and help in creating a successful coating/cell interface. The possibility of creating a micro-environment that can induce proliferation, differentiation and mineralisation of bone cells in vitro, by successfully combining both chemistry and topography of a micro-fabricated substrate is an area that requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Utilising sputter deposition, a process that lends itself to high processability, in conjunction with photolithography allowing for the creation of highly repeatable etched surfaces, we aim to provide a successful combination of chemistry and topography. Correlating the substrate conditions with resultant osteoblast biological function and activity can ultimately be used with a view to modulating the behavior of osteoblast-like cells in vitro.

Statistical approach of chemistry and topography effect on human osteoblast adhesion

Our objective in this work was to determine statistically the relative influence of surface topography and surface chemistry of metallic substrates on long-term adhesion of human bone cell quantified by the adhesion power (AP). Pure titanium, titanium alloy, and stainless steel substrates were processed with electro-erosion, sandblasting, or polishing giving various morphologies and amplitudes. The surface chemistry was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) associated with an extensive analysis of surface topography. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the effect on AP of the material composition was not significant. More, no correlation was found between AP and the surface element concentrations determined by XPS demonstrating that the surface chemistry was not an influencing parameter for long-term adhesion. In the same way, the roughness amplitude, independently of the process, had no influence on AP, meaning that roughness amplitude is not an intrinsic parameter of long-term adhesion. On the contrary, the elaboration process alone had a significant effect on AP. For a same surface elaboration process, the number of inflexion points, or G parameter, was the most pertinent roughness parameter for describing the topography influence on long-term adhesion. Thus, more the inflexion points, more the discontinuities, higher the long-term adhesion.

The positive influence of electrochemical cyclic potentiodynamic passivation (CPP) of a SS316LS surface on its response to fibronectin and pre-osteoblasts

The influence of an electrochemical surface passivation technique (cyclic potentiodynamic polarization, CPP) on the physico-chemical surface properties of SS316LS and its subsequent response to fibronectin (Fn) and pre-osteoblasts were investigated. Contact angle and zeta-potential measurements showed that the CPP-modified surface is more hydrophilic and more positively charged than the unmodified surface. Polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) was used to investigate the interaction of Fn with both surfaces. The saturated surface concentration of adsorbed Fn was higher on the CPP-modified surface. As well, significant changes were identified in the secondary structure of Fn adsorbed on both surfaces, in comparison to its native state. This data also indicated a higher degree of Fn unfolding on the CPP-modified surface. Cell studies indicated that the attachment, proliferation and morphology of pre-osteoblasts were significantly improved on the CPP-modified surface, which was attributed to the more open conformation of Fn on the CPP-modified surface. Thus, the CPP surface passivation method was demonstrated to yield a SS316LS surface of enhanced biocompatibility.

Corrosion degradation and prevention by surface modification of biometallic materials

Metals, in addition to ceramics and polymers, are important class of materials considered for replacement of non-functional parts in the body. Stainless steel 316, titanium and titanium alloys, Co-Cr, and nitinol shape memory alloys are the most frequently used metallic materials. These alloys are prone to corrosion in various extents. This review briefly discusses the important biomaterials, their properties, and the physiological environment to which these materials are exposed. Corrosion performance of currently used metallic materials has been assessed and threat to the biocompatibility from corrosion products/metal ions is discussed. The possible preventive measures to improve corrosion resistance by surface modification and to increase the bioactivity of the metallic surfaces have also been discussed. Importance of the formation of oxide layers on the metal surface, another aspect of corrosion process, has been correlated with the host response. The gap areas and future direction of research are also outlined in the paper.

Biocompatibility evaluation of surface-treated AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel in human cell cultures

The effects of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel, tested in untreated state or subjected to glow-discharge nitriding (at 10 or 20 hPa) and nitriding + post-oxidizing treatments, on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were evaluated. All the treated samples showed a better corrosion resistance in PBS and higher surface hardness in comparison with the untreated alloy. In HUVEC put in contact for 72 h with the sample types, proliferation and apoptosis decreased and increased, respectively, in the presence of the nitrided + post-oxidized samples, while only slight differences in cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-6, and TGF-beta1) release were registered. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) increased in HUVEC incubated with all the treated samples, while vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin increased in the presence of all the sample types. PBMC incubated for 48 h with the samples showed a decrease in proliferation and an increase in apoptosis in the presence of the untreated samples and the nitrided + post-oxidized ones. All the sample types induced a remarkable increase in TNF-alpha and IL-6 release in PBMC culture medium, while only the untreated sample and the nitrided at 10 hPa induced an increase in ICAM-1 expression. In HUVEC cocultured with PBMC, previously put in contact with the treated AISI 316L samples, increased levels of ICAM-1 were detected. In HUVEC coincubated with the culture medium of PBMC, previously put in contact with the samples under study, a noteworthy increase in ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin levels was always registered, with the exception of VCAM-1, which was not affected by the untreated sample. In conclusion, even if the treated samples do not show a marked increase in biocompatibility in comparison with the untreated alloy, their higher corrosion resistance may suggest a better performance as the contact with physiological environment becomes longer.

Effects of soluble metals on human peri-implant cells

Despite reports associating tissue necrosis with implant failure, the degree to which processes, such as metal toxicity, negatively impact implant performance is unknown. We evaluated representative human peri-implant cells (i.e., osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and lymphocytes) when challenged by Al+3, Co+2, Cr+3, Fe+3, Mo+5, Ni+2, and V+3 chloride solutions (and Na+2 as a control) over a wide range of concentrations (0.01-10.0 mM). Cell responses were measured using proliferation assays, viability assays, and microscopic cell morphology assessments. Differential effects were found to be less a function of the cell type than of the composition and concentration of metal challenge. No preferential immunosuppression was demonstrated. Below 0.01 mM, no metal was toxic. The most toxic metals (i.e., Co, Ni, and V) reduced proliferation (IC50), and viability (LC50) and cell morphology of osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and lymphocytes by <50% at challenge concentrations <1 mM. All other metals tested required >5 mM to exact the same responses. Below 1 mM, these toxic metals also induced alterations in all cell morphology consisting of loss of filopodia or lamellipodia or changes in cell shape. Metals that were toxic at clinically relevant concentrations (less than previously reported values in peri-implant tissues/fluids) include Co (0.6 mM), Ni (0.8 mM), V (0.5 mM) for lymphocytes and Co (0.8 mM), V (0.3 mM), Al (1-5 mM), Fe (1-5 mM) for fibroblasts, and Co (0.8 mM), Ni (0.7 mM), V (0.1 mM) for osteoblasts. Only Co and V were toxic in vitro at concentrations below that detected in vivo in synovial fluid (V at 0.1 mM and Co at 0.8 mM for fibroblasts, and V at 0.4 mM and Co at 0.8 mM on osteoblasts). Thus, soluble Co and V released from Co- and Ti-based alloys, respectively, could be implicated as the most likely to mediate cell toxicity in the periprosthetic milieu.

Quantitative assessment of the response of osteoblast- and macrophage-like cells to particles of Ni-free Fe-base alloys

In the present study, the effect of mechanically alloyed particles of new FeAlCr alloys developed for potential applications as surgical implants has been tested on osteoblast- and macrophage-like cells and compared to particles of the Ti6Al4V alloy, for which there is a good clinical experience. After microstructural characterisation of the particles, cells were cultured with particles for 24-48 h using three different concentrations of particles, and the response of cells was quantified by assessment of viability, proliferation, and morphology. Mineralisation by osteoblasts was verified after 21 days. The amount of aluminium and chromium ions in the culture medium of macrophages was measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption and phagocytosis of particles assessed by light microscopy. Viability and proliferation of osteoblast- and macrophage-like cells were substantially unaffected by the presence of particles of the new alloys, which were phagocytosed according to their size. Aluminium and chromium ions were released in the culture medium, but no direct correlation with the cell behaviour was found. In vitro mineralisation was achieved by osteoblasts in due time. The new alloys are well tolerated in in vitro systems, and, due to their chemical and mechanical characteristics, they are under development for surgical implants.

Properties of titanium-silver alloys for dental application

The purpose of this study was to develop titanium-silver alloys with biocompatibility, high corrosion resistance, and low ion-release rate, and to evaluate the electrochemical properties of titanium-silver alloys in artificial saliva. Titanium-silver alloys with silver contents ranging from 0 to 4.5 at % in steps of 0.5 at % were designed. The alloys were arc melted, homogenized at 950 degrees C for 72 h, hot rolled to 2 mm in thickness, and finally solution heat treated at 950 degrees C for 1 h and quenched in water. Chemical compositions, phases, hardnesses, electrochemical properties, and the cytotoxicity of the alloys were investigated. The purity of titanium-silver alloys was maintained above 99.9%, because few impurities were introduced through their manufacture. In the case of alloys containing silver in the range 2.0-4.0 at %, the formation of an acicular alpha phase was observed inside the beta phase. The acicular phase got thinner with increasing amounts of silver. This means that silver is a beta-phase stabilizing element in titanium-silver alloys. The hardness value tended to rise with increasing silver content and increased largely over 3.5 at %, and the increase of the hardness value versus pure titanium was about 33%. It is believed that the substantial increases in hardness was due to the effects of solid solution strengthening and of alpha-beta phase transition. Moreover, titanium-silver alloys had higher corrosion resistances than pure titanium. These results mean that silver additions to titanium can improve alloy corrosion resistance. Passive current densities in the potentiodynamic polarization curves were dependent on the chemical compositions of the titanium-silver alloys. However, they did not show a linear relationship with respect to silver contents. Titanium-silver alloys did not show pitting corrosion in artificial saliva. It is believed that silver addition to titanium strengthened the passive film due to titanium dissolution induced by the different electromotive forces of titanium and silver. In the agar overlay test, the cytotoxicity of the titanium-silver alloys and of titanium were none or mild. In summary, titanium-silver alloys had higher mechanical properties and corrosion resistance than titanium, and toxicities that were similar to titanium. Therefore, it is recommended that titanium-silver alloys be adopted cautiously by the biomedical and dental fields.

In vitro corrosion behavior of bioceramic, metallic, and bioceramic-metallic coated stainless steel dental implants

OBJECTIVES

The most common metals and alloys used in dentistry may be exposed to a process of corrosion in vivo that make them cytotoxic. The biocompatibility of dental alloys is primarily related to their corrosion behavior. The aim of this work was to evaluate the corrosion behavior and thus the biocompatibility of the uncoated and coated stainless steels and compare the effect of type of coatings on corrosion behavior.

METHODS

Three types of coatings, hydroxyapatite (HA), titanium (Ti), and a double-layer HA/Ti on AISI 316L stainless steel were made. HA coating was produced using plasma-spraying technique and Ti coating was made using physical vapor deposition process. In order to perform a novel double-layer composite coating, a top layer of HA was plasma-sprayed over a physical vapor deposited Ti layer on AISI 316L stainless steel. Structural characterization techniques including XRD, SEM and EDX were used to investigate the microstructure, morphology and crystallinity of the coatings. Electrochemical potentiodynamic tests were performed in physiological solutions in order to determine and compare the corrosion behavior of the coated and uncoated specimens as an indication of biocompatibility.

RESULTS

Double-layer HA/Ti coating on AISI 316L SS had a positive effect on improvement of corrosion behavior. The decrease in corrosion current densities was significant for these coated specimens and was much lower than the values obtained for uncoated and single HA coated specimens. Ti coating on AISI 316L SS also has a beneficial effect on corrosion behavior. The results were compared with the results of corrosion behavior of HA coated commercially pure titanium (cpTi) and uncoated cpTi.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results demonstrated that the double-layer HA/Ti coated 316L SS can be used as an endodontic implant and two goals including improvement of corrosion resistance and bone osteointegration can be obtained simultaneously.

Concentration- and composition-dependent effects of metal ions on human MG-63 osteoblasts

Metal debris from implants has been shown to alter the function of osteoblasts in cell cultures. Its remains unclear, however, if specific forms of released ionic metals are involved in the pathogenesis of periprosthetic osteolysis. We evaluated the relative effects of ionic forms of implant metals by treating human osteoblast-like MG-63 osteosarcoma cells with eight concentrations (0.001-10.0 mM) of Cr(+3), Mo(+5), Al(+3), Ta(+5), Co(+2), Ni(+2), Fe(+3), Cu(+2), Mn(+2), Mg(+2), Na(+2), and V(+3) chloride solutions. The results demonstrated that the metal ions differentially affected osteoblast proliferation, viability, type-I collagen gene expression, and cytokine release. The metal ions were ranked in order from least to most toxic (based on a 50% reduction in viability) as follows: Na < Cr < Mg < Mo < Al < Ta < Co < Ni < Fe < Cu < Mn < V. Metal-induced decreases in osteoblast proliferation were similar in ranking. Nontoxic concentrations of metals had no effect on procollagen alpha1[I] gene expression; only at toxic concentrations did metals produce a decrease in gene expression. The most toxic metals (V, Mn, Fe, and Ni) were also the only metals found to induce IL-6 secretion on a per cell basis (of the cytokines tested, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin beta 1 (IL-1beta), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), only IL-6 was detectable in the culture medium after 48 h for any metal at any concentration). Less toxic metals (e.g., Co and Cr) had little effect on IL-6 release, even at high concentrations. In general, metal ions reduced osteoblast function (i.e., proliferation and collagen gene expression) in proportion to the degree of toxicity. These results support the hypothesis that adverse local cellular responses (particularly necrotic responses) associated with metal debris from implanted metallic devices may be due in part to metal ions released from implants or from particulate debris.

Human bone cell cultures in biocompatibility testing. Part I: osteoblastic differentiation of serially passaged human bone marrow cells cultured in alpha-MEM and in DMEM

Well-characterised human osteoblastic bone marrow cell cultures are a useful in vitro tool to analyse bone tissue/biomaterials interactions. In this work, human bone marrow was cultured in experimental conditions described to favour osteoblastic differentiation and, serially passaged cells were cultured in two widely used culture media, minimum essential medium Eagle, alpha modification (alpha-MEM) and Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM). Cultures were grown for 35 d and compared concerning morphologic appearance on scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cell viability/proliferation, total protein content, activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and ability to form calcium phosphate deposits. Results showed that cell proliferation was similar in cultures grown in the two media but ALP activity and ability to form mineralised deposits were lower in DMEM cultures. In both experimental situations, osteoblastic parameters were strongly reduced on cell passage, particularly from the first to the second subculture. In the experimental conditions used (presence of ascorbic acid, sodium beta-glycerophosphate and dexamethasone in the primary and secondary cultures), osteoblastic differentiation was observed in the first and second subcultures grown in alpha-MEM and in the first subculture grown in DMEM. These results underline the importance of the definition of the experimental conditions in studies involving bone cell cultures.

Application of stripping voltammetry and microelectrodes in vitro biocompatibility and in vivo toxicity tests of AISI 316L corrosion products

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric procedures, using mercury film microelectrodes, were optimised and applied to quantify total iron, chromium and nickel in samples of osteoblast-like cells culture medium and mice organs (liver, kidney and spleen) obtained from, respectively, in vitro and in vivo 316L stainless steel corrosion products biocompatibility and toxicity studies. The methods were based on the pre-concentration of the iron-catechol complex by adsorption at the potential of -1.80 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), of the chromium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid complex at -1.00 V or -1.15 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and of the nickel-dimethylglyoxime complex at -0.70 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The detection limits achieved for each metal ion (i) in the culture medium were 1.93x10(-8) mol/L Fe, 2.80x10(-10) mol/L Cr and 7.70x10(-9) mol/L Ni for a collection time of 30 s, 40 s and 10 s, respectively, and (ii) in the mice organ solutions were 1.37x10(-8) mol/L Fe, 1.54x10(-8) mol/L Cr and 1.58x10(-9) mol/L Ni for an adsorption time of 25 s, 25 s and 15 s, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed procedures was verified by comparison of the results obtained by adsorptive stripping voltammetry with those attained by atomic absorption spectrometry for the same set of samples and good agreement was found. The in vitro study showed that stainless steel corrosion products affect the expression of the osteogenic phenotype. The in vivo mice model, used to investigate the systemic effects provoked by the corrosion products per se, indicated that Fe, Cr and Ni are partially accumulated in the organs studied and that Ni induced the more significant morphological alterations.

Influence of titanium ion on mineral formation and properties of osteoid nodules in rat calvaria cultures

The effect of the addition of titanium ion (Ti) on osteoblast function and the mineralization of osteoid nodules in rat calvaria cultures was characterized. Concentrations of 10 ppm of Ti or more inhibited cell proliferation; 5 ppm or less either had no effect or stimulated proliferation. The number of nodules formed was not influenced by 5 ppm of Ti, but mineral deposition in nodules was suppressed, as revealed by von Kossa staining. Likewise, 5 ppm of Ti inhibited the incorporation of [(45)Ca] in cultures during nodule formation even if the Ti was withdrawn from the medium when mineralization was initiated. In order to test whether the synthesis of osteoid components was affected, the expression of osteonectin (OSN), osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OSC), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) mRNAs as well as ALP enzyme activity was analyzed. The expression of OSN and OPN mRNAs was reduced dramatically, but OSC mRNA was little affected by 5 ppm of Ti. Ti delayed the development of ALP mRNA expression and enzyme activity relative to the controls. Thus Ti treatment changed the proportional composition of cellular mRNA contributing the osteoblast phenotype.

Effect of stainless steel corrosion products on in vitro biomineralization

Osteoblast-like cell cultures have been used as in vitro models to study the interactions of bone tissue with biomaterials and their degradation products. This work reviews the effects of AISI 316L stainless steel (SS) corrosion products on the osteoblastic behavior of rat and human bone cell cultures. Results suggest that such products affect, in a dose-dependent manner, the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cells; these effects depend on the developmental stage of the osteoblastic cells. Above certain nonlethal concentrations, SS corrosion products prevent the mineralization of the extracellular matrix, a process that reflects the complete expression of the osteoblastic phenotype.

In vitro osteoblastic differentiation of human bone marrow cells in the presence of metal ions

For periods up to 21 days human bone marrow was cultured in control conditions that favor the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cells. The effect of AISI 316L corrosion products and the corresponding major separate metal ions (Fe, Cr, and Ni) were studied in three different phases of the culture period in order to investigate the effects of metal ions in cell populations representative of osteoblastic cells in different stages of differentiation. Toxicity consequences of the presence of metal ions in bone marrow cultures were evaluated by biochemical parameters (enzymatic reduction of MTT, alkaline phosphatase activity, and total protein content), histochemical assays (identification of ALP-positive cells and Ca and phosphates deposits), and observation of the cultures by light and scanning electron microscopy. Culture media were analyzed for total and ionized Ca and P and also for metal ions (Fe, Cr, and Ni). The presence of AISI 316L corrosion products and Ni salt in bone marrow cultures during the first and second weeks of culture significantly disturbs the normal behavior of these cultures, interfering in the lag phase and exponential phase of cell growth and ALP expression. However, the presence of these species during the third week of culture, when expression of osteoblastic functions occurs (mineralization process), did not result in any detectable effect. Fe salt also disturbs the behavior of bone marrow cell cultures when present during the lag phase and proliferation phase, and a somewhat compromised response between the normal pattern (control cultures) and intense inhibition (AISI 316L corrosion products and Ni salt-added cultures) was observed. Fe did not affect the progression of the mineralization phase. Osteogenic cultures exposed to Cr salt (Cr3+) presented a pattern similar to the controls, indicating that this element does not interfere, in the concentration studied, in the osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow cells. Quantification of metal ions in the culture media showed that Cr (originated from AISI 316L corrosion products but from not Cr3+ salt) and Ni (originated from AISI 316L corrosion products and Ni salt) appear to be retained by the bone marrow cultures.

Decreased consumption of Ca and P during in vitro biomineralization and biologically induced deposition of Ni and Cr in presence of stainless steel corrosion products

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 316L stainless steel (SS) corrosion products on the in vitro biomineralization process, because tissue necrosis, bone loss, impaired bone mineralization, and loosening of orthopedic implants are associated with ions and debris resulting from biodegradation. Rat bone marrow cells were cultured in experimental conditions that favored the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cells and were exposed to SS corrosion products obtained by electrochemical means for periods ranging from 1 to 21 days. Quantification of total and ionized Ca and P, as well as Fe, Cr, and Ni, ions in the culture media of control and metal added cultures during the incubation period was performed to study the influence of corrosion products on the Ca and P consumption that occurs during the mineralization process. Control cultures and metal effects on cultures were evaluated concerning DNA content, enzymatic reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Histochemical detection of ALP, Ca, and phosphate deposition, and examination of the cultures by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) were also performed. The presence of SS corrosion products resulted in impairment of the normal behavior of rat bone marrow cultures. Levels of Cr and Ni in the medium of cultures exposed to 316L SS corrosion products decreased throughout the incubation period, suggesting a regular deposition of these species; these results were supported by TEM observation of the cultures. Cultures exposed to the corrosion products presented lower DNA content, MTT reduction, and ALP activity and failed to form mineralized areas. These cultures showed negative staining on histochemical reactions for the identification of calcium and phosphate deposition and SEM and TEM examination did not show mineral globular structures or mineralization foci, respectively, which is characteristic of cultures grown in control conditions. These results suggest that metal ions associated with 316L SS are toxic to osteogenic cells, affecting their proliferation and differentiation.