The Effect of Lactoferrin and Magnesium Phosphate Hydrogel Coating on Osteoblast Activity on Titanium Discs: An In Vitro Study.

Background and objective The clinical success of modern implantology is largely based on the concept of osseointegration. The primary challenge is to develop multifunctional surfaces that can simultaneously promote rapid bone formation while ensuring safety and biocompatibility. This study aimed to demonstrate the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity profiles of a hydrogel composed of lactoferrin (LF) and magnesium phosphate and to assess its safety for clinical use in promoting osseointegration. The key objective was to evaluate the osteoblastic activity and cell proliferation induced by this surface modification. Materials and methods In this study, 16 commercially pure grade 4 titanium discs (5 mm in diameter, 2 mm in thickness) were divided into two groups, comprising eight samples each. The experimental group comprised titanium discs coated by a dip-coating technique with an LF- and magnesium phosphate-loaded hydrogel, while the second group served as an uncoated control. Biocompatibility and cell viability were evaluated using the MTT assay in the osteosarcoma-derived MG-63 cell line. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured to assess early osteoblastic differentiation and the mineralization potential of the hydrogel-coated Ti discs compared to those of the control group. Results The LF- and magnesium phosphate hydrogel-coated titanium discs exhibited significantly higher metabolic activity and cell viability compared to the uncoated control group at all time points (p < 0.001). By Day seven, the LF-magnesium phosphate hydrogel combination coating demonstrated significantly higher cellular metabolic activity, reaching a peak optical density (OD) of 1.173 ± 0.030 at 570 nm, compared to 0.891 ± 0.025 for the uncoated control (p < 0.001). Morphological analysis showed a 1.76-fold increase in cell spreading area within 24 hours, indicating improved initial adhesion. Furthermore, ALP activity was markedly elevated in the experimental group, with values reaching 819 ± 28 U/L by Day seven, indicating enhanced early osteoblastic differentiation. Conclusions There was a significantly enhanced biological response of osteosarcoma-derived MG-63 cells on titanium substrates with the hydrogel coating. The modified discs outperformed the control in terms of cytocompatibility, cell proliferation, and osteogenic functional activity. These findings suggest that the integration of an LF- and magnesium phosphate-loaded hydrogel can enhance initial cell attachment and promote faster osseointegration, offering a promising approach for dental implant surface modification. While these results are promising for dental implant technology, further research is needed to fully validate its clinical efficacy.