Influence of titanium surface roughness on a nanoscale on the zeta potential and platelet adhesion

Thromboembolic complications still arise on blood contacting surfaces. Surface charge and topography influence the subsequent deposition of proteins and platelets, potentially leading to thrombi. Research showed a correlation of surface charge and nanoscale roughness, and a negative surface charge as well as a smooth surface finish are associated with lower thrombogenicity. The aim of this study was to compare the platelet adhesion on titanium with different nanoscale roughnesses and to examine if those roughness variations caused a change in surface charge. Titanium samples were polished and roughened to four different nanoscale roughness levels. Platelet adhesion (covered surface area (CSA), <i>N</i> = 8) was tested in flow chambers with human whole blood using fluorescence imaging. ζ-potential was measured over a broad range of pH-values and interpolated to obtain the ζ-potential for pH_Blood (7.4). Platelet adhesion tests were evaluated in terms of <i>p</i>-values and the Wilcoxon test effect size and the trend of the ζ-potential at pH_Blood and the CSA was compared. <i>R</i>_a-values ranged between 35 (polished) and 156 nm. Regarding platelet adhesion, the polished sample showed the lowest mean CSA with a medium or strong effect size compared to the roughened samples. The interpolated ζ-potentials for pH_Blood follow a similar trend as the CSA, with the lowest ζ-potential measured for the polished surface. These findings suggest that the decreasing ζ-potential due to lower nanoscale roughness might be an additional explanation for the improved hemocompatibility besides the smoother topography.