In this research, the effect of the presence of living cells (SaOS-2) on in vitro degradation of Mg-2.0Zn-0.98Mn (ZM21) magnesium alloy was examined by two methods simple immersion/cell culture tests and electrochemical measurements (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization) under cell culture conditions. In immersion/cell culture tests, when SaOS-2 cells were cultured on ZM21 samples, pH of cell culture medium decreased, therefore weight loss and Mg2+ ion release from the samples increased. Electrochemical measurements revealed the presence of living cells increased corrosion rate (Icorr) and decreased polarization resistance (Rp) after 48h of incubation. This acceleration of ZM21 corrosion can mainly be attributed to the decrease of medium pH due to cellular metabolic activities.
Keywords: Biodegradable metals; Biomaterials; Cell culture condition; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Immersion.
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