Influence of surface pre-treatment on the cytocompatibility of a novel biodegradable ZnMg alloy

The corrosion rate was significantly decreased after the pre-incubation. The protective layer of corrosion products was rich in Ca and P. The pre-incubated samples exhibited increased cytocompatibility in the indirect test (metabolic activity of L929 cells was above 70%) and we also observed osteoblast-like cell growth directly on the samples during the contact tests. Thus, the pre-incubation in SBF leading to improved cytocompatibility could represent more appropriate model to in vivo testing.