The effects of uniquely-processed titanium on biological systems: implications for human health and performance

Abstract

Titanium is biocompatible and widely utilized in a variety of applications. Recently, titanium in pico-nanometer scale and soluble form (Aqua Titan) has expanded its use to applied human health and performance. The purpose of this article is to review the current evidence associated with specific physiological responses to Aqua Titan-treated materials. In vitro studies have shown that application of Aqua Titan can modify membrane potential and long-term potentiation in isolated hippocampal neurons, suggesting reduced pain memory as a possible mechanism for reported analgesia. Proximal contact with Aqua Titan-treated titanium increased gene expression, protein synthesis, cell growth and adhesion in normal cultured muscle and bone cells, suggesting application for Aqua Titan in clinical implant procedures and wound healing. Evidence for beneficial effects on neuromuscular control of muscle-tendon function and improvements in running economy in human athletes was seen when Aqua Titan-treated tape was applied to the human triceps surae following fatigue induced by prior strenuous exercise. Finally, behavioral responses and effects on the autonomic nervous system to environmental exposure suggest Aqua Titan may promote a mild relaxant, or stress-suppressive response. Together, data suggest exposure to Aqua Titan-treated materials modulates aspects of growth and function in neuronal and other musculoskeletal cells with possible benefits to musculotendinous recovery from exercise and to the systemic response to stress.

Figure 1

Summary of research-evidenced (solid arrows) and prospective (dashed arrows) effects of exposure to Aqua Titan-treated materials on physiological responses associated with health and performance phenotype. The responses highlight the biological effects of Aqua Titan-treated materials (grey) on cellular and tissue (green), neural and behavioral (blue), and musculoskeletal (orange) function.

Figure 2

Initial spread, cytoskeletal arrangement, and establishment of focal adhesion of osteoblasts 24 h after seeding onto titanium surfaces with and without Aqua Titan-treated coating. Representative confocal microscopic images of cells stained with rhodamine phalloidin for cytoskeletal actin filaments (red) and anti-vinculin (green). The cells on Aqua Titan-treated titanium surfaces are clearly larger with their cytoplasmic projections more developed. The cells were also characterized with faster and more expression of actin and vinculin.

Figure 3

Effect of exposure to tape submerged and coated with three concentrations of Aqua Titan (ATT) and placebo on the following responses in mouse CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons: (A) long-term potentiation in response to 100 Hz stimuli; (B) resting membrane potential; and (C) the frequency of the action potential firing rate. Data represent the mean ± standard error. For all experiments, 12 hippocampal slices were used [3].

Figure 4

Effect of application of Aqua Titan-treated tape on the skin covering the triceps surae muscle-tendon complex and whole-body Aqua Titan-treated garments during 48 h recovery from strenuous running exercise on (A) the short latency response obtained from Achilles tendon tap; and (B) plantar flexor range of motion (ROM) from dynamometry [9]; and the on (C) the metabolic cost of subsequent running [10], respectively. Data represent mean ± standard deviation. Statistically significant differences from the control at p < 0.05, where * is the difference in the post-pre scores, and, # the difference for all run stages in the overall effect of treatment estimated via repeated measures linear mixed model ANOVA. Effect sizes were qualified as large for short latency response and small for range of motion (ROM) and metabolic cost.

Figure 5

Effect of Aqua Titan treated cages on spontaneous movement following cage change and urinary noradrenalin content. Spontaneously activity was assessed in the light period as the integrated number of single animal motor counts per 12 h period. Noradrenalin content was the total content collected over a 24 h measurement. Data represent mean ± standard error n = 8. * Statistically significant differences from the control at p < 0.05 [41].