Abstract: Objective To investigate the influence of Arg-Gly-Asp tripeptide complex connected zirconia on the adhesion， proliferation and mineralization of osteoblast. Methods Plasma spray was employed to prepare zirconia coating on titanium plate, after hydroxylation and silanization, Arg-Gly-Asp tripeptide complex was connected on zirconia coating. The focal adhesion of osteoblasts was observed by confocal microscopy and the stained cell nucleus were counted to evaluate the proliferative ability of osteoblasts. Alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were measured to evaluate the mineralization of osteoblast by western blot. Results Osteoblasts on Arg-Gly-Asp tripeptide complex connected zirconia presented more focal adhesion and excellent proliferative ability. The levels of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were higher in Arg-Gly-Asp connected zirconia than those of regular zirconia. Conclusion Arg-Gly-Asp tripeptide complex connected bio-active zirconia can promote the adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic mineralization of osteoblast.

Key words: bio-active, zirconia, osteoblast