Features of in vitro and in vivo behaviour of magnesium alloy WE43

Biocompatibility of magnesium alloy WE43 was investigated under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The biodegradation of WE43 samples in vitro was found to occur very rapidly. The evolution of a significant amount of hydrogen as a product of biodegradation prevented the attachment of cells to the sample surface and caused their likely damage. A tendency to the lysis of red blood cells and a drop in the index of survival of mesenchymal stromal cells were observed. By contrast, in vivo, after subcutaneous implantation to mice, the biodegradation rate of WE43 was significantly lower and no sizeable hydrogen generation occurred. An intimate contact between the sample surface and the surrounding tissue was formed without damage to the tissue, with the occurrence of neoangiogenesis in the contact area. Importantly, morphological studies showed that no major detrimental systemic effects were associated with the implantation of WE43 in mice.