title: The effects of metal corrosion debris on immune system cells.
abstract: Authors evaluated the correlation between immune system and metal ions release in blood of 17 subjects with Cr/Co/Ni joint prostheses. For the purpose Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co) and Nickel (Ni) serum levels were measured and, at the same time some immunological parameters (Leukocytes, Lymphocytes and Lymphocytes T, B and Natural Killer cells sub-populations) were evaluated. The results showed a significant decrease of Leukocytes, Lymphocytes and of T Lymphocytes sub-populations. At the same time it was demonstrated a significant increase of Chromium, Cobalt and Nickel levels in patients with joint prostheses as compared to control population (23 patients). In conclusion, ions release from metallic surface of the prostheses is correlated with a depression of immune system. This correlation could depend on a toxic action on immune system caused by the products released by the implant. It could also depend on a lymphocytes compartimentalization in periprosthetic tissues as a consequence of a cell-mediated hypersensitivity reaction towards implants corrosion products.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio di Biocompatibilità dei Materiali da Impianto, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Bologna.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Savarino
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Granchi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciapetti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cervellati
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rotini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pizzoferrato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002857:Chromium / Q000097:blood; D003035:Cobalt / Q000097:blood; D003343:Corrosion; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002857:Chromium; D003035:Cobalt; D009532:Nickel