In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility investigation of diamond-like carbon coated nickel-titanium shape memory alloy.

Objective: To investigate the biocompatibility of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated nickel-titanium shape memory alloy (NiTi SMA) in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: The in vitro study was carried out by co-culturing the DLC coated and uncoated NiTi SMA with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), respectively, and the in vivo study was carried out by fixing the rabbits' femoral fracture model by DLC coated and uncoated NiTi SMA embracing fixator for 4 weeks, respectively. The concentration of the cells, alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and nickel ion in culture media were detected, respectively, at the first to fifth day after co-culturing.