Abstract:

Titanium and titanium alloys, which are bio-inert materials and have excellent mechanical properties, have broad applications in clinic.On the one hand, TiO2 nanotube can effectively enhance the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and have antimicrobial abilities in some extent; On the other hand, TiO2 nanotube, an outstanding drug-carrier, could effectively prevent and treat bone implant-related infection by loading antimicrobial agents. By means of modifying the nanotube coating, improving the efficiency of drug loading and ameliorating release profile, the ideal antimicrobial property could be achieved. Strategies for drug release can be divided into two approaches, namely mechanical release and intellectual release. Mechanical release could fortify the antibacterial ability of coating, but the unicity and uncontrollability of agents diluting need to be resolved. By contrast, intellectual agents release has the advantages of multiple drug species, controllable release volume and programmed trigger condition. This article reviews the current and potential methods of antibacterial substances loading and release from TiO2 nanotube, and expects to provide the orientation for future direction of controllable and intellectual nanotube drug release.

Key words:  TiO2 nanotube, antimicrobial properties, antibiotics, bioactivity, controlled release, orthopedic implant