Tantalum (Ta) and zirconium (Zr) alloys were found to had low elastic modulus and similar biomechanical characteristics as the human bone. However, the biocompatibility and osteogenic potential of Ta-xZr alloyswith different proportions (20, 30, 40 and 50% Zr by atom) remains to be investigated. In this study, the biocompatibility of Ta-xZr alloys and commercially pure titanium (cpTi) was evaluated in vitro by cell counting kit-8 assay. The adhesion of MG63 osteoblasts to the surface of the alloys was observed by fluorescence microscopy, and their morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The expressions of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Ki67, osteocalcin (OC), collagen-I (Col-I) and Integrin β1 mRNA in the cultured cells were determined by RT-PCR. As a result, Ta-xZr (x = 20, 30, 40 and 50 at%) alloys were non-toxic and supported proliferation of the MG63 cells. The osteoblasts adhered to the Ta-xZr alloys, and subsequently spread and proliferated rapidly. Furthermore, the cells grown on Ta-20Zr and Ta-30Zr expressed high levels of ALP, Col I and OC, indicating that the Ta-xZr alloys can induce osteogenesis. In conclusion, Ta-xZr alloys promoted the adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MG63 cells. The Ta-xZr composites with a higher proportion of Ta exhibited superior osteogenic activity, and Ta-30Zr is therefore a promising alternative for Ti implants.

钽 (Ta) 和锆 (Zr) 合金被发现具有低弹性模量和与人体骨骼相似的生物力学特性。然而，具有不同比例（按原子计 20、30、40 和 50% Zr）的 Ta-xZr 合金的生物相容性和成骨潜力仍有待研究。在这项研究中，通过细胞计数 kit-8 测定法在体外评估了 Ta-xZr 合金和商业纯钛 (cpTi) 的生物相容性。用荧光显微镜观察MG63成骨细胞在合金表面的粘附情况，用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）分析其形貌。RT-PCR检测培养细胞中碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、Ki67、骨钙素(OC)、胶原蛋白-I(Col-I)和整合素β1 mRNA的表达。结果，Ta-xZr (x = 20, 30, 40 和 50 at%) 合金是无毒的并且支持 MG63 细胞的增殖。成骨细胞粘附在Ta-xZr合金上，随后迅速扩散和增殖。此外，在 Ta-20Zr 和 Ta-30Zr 上生长的细胞表达高水平的 ALP、Col I 和 OC，表明 Ta-xZr 合金可以诱导成骨。总之，Ta-xZr合金促进了MG63细胞的粘附、增殖和成骨分化。Ta 比例较高的 Ta-xZr 复合材料表现出优异的成骨活性，因此 Ta-30Zr 是钛植入物的有希望的替代品。表明Ta-xZr合金可以诱导成骨。总之，Ta-xZr合金促进了MG63细胞的粘附、增殖和成骨分化。Ta 比例较高的 Ta-xZr 复合材料表现出优异的成骨活性，因此 Ta-30Zr 是钛植入物的有希望的替代品。表明Ta-xZr合金可以诱导成骨。总之，Ta-xZr合金促进了MG63细胞的粘附、增殖和成骨分化。Ta 比例较高的 Ta-xZr 复合材料表现出优异的成骨活性，因此 Ta-30Zr 是钛植入物的有希望的替代品。