Application of INAA in the study of metallic ions related to toxicity

Abstract

The 316L stainless steel which is commonly used as biomaterial in metallic implants has shown toxic effect in cytotoxicity in vitro assay by neutral red uptake methodology. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was applied to evaluate metal composition in the steel and in the extract composed by cell culture medium (MEM) where the sample remained immersed during 10 days at 37 o C. The aim of this study was to determine the level and identify the elements related to cytotoxicity, in solutions containing metallic ions with different associations and concentrations. The results showed Co, Cr and Ni elements in the extract which are metallic elements previously associated to toxicity. The association of Cr and Ni resulted in toxicity although these elements when individually present in the medium did not show any toxicity effect. On the other hand, the association of Co to Cr + Ni reduced the cytotoxic effect.