Lipopolysaccharide inhibits or accelerates biomedical titanium corrosion depending on environmental acidity

Research Summary

Titanium implants: Bacterial effects on corrosion

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can accelerate or inhibit the corrosion of titanium implants depending on the acidity of the environment. These contrasting effects were demonstrated by Owen Addison and colleagues from Birmingham University, UK. Titanium and its alloys are used in biomedical implants and are generally resistant to corrosion under normal physiological conditions. Inflammation and bacterial activity can, however, modify the local environment in the biofilms around dental implants. The researchers therefore investigated the effects of LPS from bacterial cell walls on corrosion. At normal acidity levels corrosion increased in the presence of LPS, but in the more acidic conditions associated with inflammation corrosion was inhibited. Increased acidity in the absence of LPS increases corrosion. The effects of LPS may influence the long-term stability of many implants.