Identification of mesenchymal stromal cell survival responses to antimicrobial silver ion concentrations released from orthopaedic implants.

Antimicrobial silver (Ag) coatings on orthopaedic implants may reduce infection rates, but should not be to the detriment of regenerative cell populations, primarily mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). We determined intramedullary silver release profiles in vivo, which were used to test relevant Ag concentrations on MSC function in vitro. We measured a rapid elution of Ag from intramedullary pins in a rat femoral implantation model, delivering a maximum potential concentration of 7.