In vitro evaluation of samarium (III) oxide as a bone substituting material.

The biocompatibility of natural samarium (III) oxide, which has previously been used for treatment in bone-related diseases was determined as a first step in its evaluation as a bone implant material. Assessment for 28 days using osteoblast-like cells revealed no indications of cytotoxicity. The cells adhered and proliferated on the surface. Furthermore, the differentiation and mineralization were observed, indicating a normal biological response of the cells on the samarium (III) oxide surface. The in vitro, short term biocompatibility assessment of this oxide has indicated its biosafety with no damaging toxic effects on the cells and biofunctionality; with an appropriate cell response for a bone-contacting material. Hence, samarium (III) oxide deserves recognition in the field of biomaterials for its excellent in vitro performance and demonstrates that the class of potential bioceramics may be larger than previously thought. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010.