In vitro and in vivo evaluation of effects of Mg–6Zn alloy on tight junction of intestinal epithelial cell

The effects of biodegradable Mg–6Zn alloy on tight junction of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) were investigated. In the in vitro experiments, the cells were exposed to Mg–6Zn alloy extracts with different concentrations (0, 20% and 40%) for 1, 3 and 5 d. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results show that when the cells are treated with 40% and 20% extracts, the expression of Zona Occludens 1 (ZO-1) and Occludin increase as compared with those in the control group. In the in vivo experiments, Mg–6Zn alloy and titanium staples were implanted into rabbits' intestinal tract for 1, 2 and 3 weeks. By immunohistochemical staining of peri-implant intestinal tissue, increased expression of Occludin and ZO-1 are observed in the Mg–6Zn alloy groups as compared with those in the titanium and control groups. The results show that Mg–6Zn alloy in intestine may promote the regeneration of tight junction, and the extract with a certain concentration can induce the expression of tight junction related genes in IEC-6 cells.