In this study, the effect of the crystallographic phases of titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) on hepatocyte response was investigated by culturing cells in a medium containing a dissolution of rutile TiO(2) powders, and on anatase and rutile ceramic discs. When the concentration of Ti ions exceeded 0.16 microg/mL, TiO(2) exhibited cytotoxicity. However, in a range of concentrations between 10(-6) and 10(-3)microg/mL, the Ti ion leached out from the powder stimulated cell proliferation. Cytocompatibility was also examined by the cell attachment and proliferation on the TiO(2) discs. The results show that the surface characteristic of the TiO(2) discs was the main factor influencing cell attachment, and the cells were better attached on the dense surface of the discs with high crystallinity than on the loose surface with low crystallinity. Both the surface characteristic and the crystallographic phase affected cell proliferation. In addition to the dense surface with high crystallinity, the anatase ceramics was in favor of cell proliferation as compared to the rutile ceramics sintered at the same temperature. In conclusion, the results suggest that the dense rutile ceramic with high crystallinity is a good substrate for hepatocytes.