Titanium surface roughness alters responsiveness of MG63 osteoblast- like cells to 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃

The effect of titanium surface roughness on the cellular response of circulating 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃ hormones was studied. The cells showed a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity as the surface became rougher. Addition of 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃ to the cultures caused a dose-dependent stimulation of alkaline phosphatase activity that was synergistic with the effect caused by surface roughness alone. The inhibitory effect of surface roughness on cell number was unaffected by 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃ except on the sandblasted surface. Bone cell response to systemic hormones was modified by surface roughness and surface roughness increased the responsiveness of MG63 cells to 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃.