Thesis
Cytotoxic effects of cobalt metal ions on osteoblasts : are calcium channels involved?
- Creator
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2012
- Thesis identifier
- T13659
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Metal on Metal (MM) hip replacement implants have become a popular alternative to traditional metal on polyethylene (MP) devices due to their improved wear profiles and reduced associated risk of dislocation, wear debris and subsequent osteolysis. MM articulations are most commonly made of cobalt-chromium alloy and are associated with elevated levels of cobalt and chromium ions locally and systemically which may have detrimental effects on patients, including to their bone health. Osteoblasts are a type of bone cell vital to overall bone function and turnover, and cobalt ions have been seen to inhibit osteoblast function by reducing alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition and increasing chemokine secretion in osteoblasts, which may result in local osteolysis. These toxic effects of cobalt on osteoblasts may potentially arise due to metal ions entering tissue via calcium channels, and the aim of this project was to try to elucidate whether this theory was correct. The effects of acute exposure to cobalt on OST 5 cells, a rat osteoblast cell line, in vitro, were measured and calcium channel blockers were used in a bid to prevent cobalt-induced toxicity seen in cells, which if successful, would suggest the involvement of calcium channels in cobalt uptake. Cobalt concentrations ranged from 0.1 - 200 μM, and nifedipine and verapamil were expected to block calcium channels at a concentration of 10 μM. Cell viability was assessed using neutral red and MTT assays. Cobalt was seen to significantly reduce OST 5 cell viability in a dose dependent manner, and though significant differences were seen in cobalt-treated and cobalt and verapamil-treated OST 5 cells, this calcium channel blocker did not significantly prevent cobalt-induced toxicity according to the results seen here. Further research must be conducted to definitively conclude whether or not calcium channels are involved in the uptake of cobalt ions into osteoblasts.
- Resource Type
- DOI
- Date Created
- 2012
- Former identifier
- 1005013
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