In vitro biocompatibility testing of polymers for orthopaedic implants using cultured fibroblasts and osteoblasts.
The biocompatibility of two polymers for potential use as orthopaedic implant materials in an isoelastic hip prosthesis was investigated. The interactions of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and epoxy resin polymers (with and without carbon fibre reinforcement) with both fibroblasts and osteoblasts were tested using cell protein, intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH), leakage of lactate dehydrogenase and the MTT assay as indices of cellular cytotoxicity. The epoxy resin polymer was slightly cytotoxic to and inhibited the growth rate of fibroblasts (as assessed by total cell protein), and depleted GSH in both cell types. In contrast, the PEEK material did not display overt signs of cytotoxicity and, in fact, increased osteoblast cell protein content. This suggests that, of these two materials, PEEK would be the one of choice for development of an isoelastic implant and, in view of its stimulatory effect on osteoblast protein content, it may encourage ingrowth of bone around the prosthesis and thus minimize joint loosening.
Morrison
C
C
Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde, Wolfson Centre, Glasgow, UK.
Macnair
R
R
MacDonald
C
C
Wykman
A
A
Goldie
I
I
Grant
M H
MH
D016475:3T3 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002244:Carbon; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003600:Cytosol / Q000201:enzymology; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D007659:Ketones; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011108:Polymers; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles
D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D007659:Ketones; D011108:Polymers; D011506:Proteins; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; C063834:polyetheretherketone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D002244:Carbon; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; C022616:thiazolyl blue; D005978:Glutathione