title: Physicochemical and immunological basis of silicone pathophysiology.
abstract: Silicones, model biomaterials with almost ubiquitous applications, are the focus of a contentious debate. In this review, we will consider both established physicochemical phenomena and immunological phenomena; and then consider the human clinical phenomena that relate directly to them. We will explore the two competing theories of the biological activity of silicones, and we will discuss the weaknesses in the various arguments that silicone is inert. We conclude that from a pathophysiological perspective, silicones should be expected to be bioactive materials and that the physicochemical and immunological data at the experimental level are compelling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine 90024-1732, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kossovsky
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Freiman
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects; D000327:Adsorption; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000592:standards; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018427:Breast Implants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D012828:Silicones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012828:Silicones