Proliferation of human fibroblasts in vitro after exposure to orbital implants.
BACKGROUND
Porous orbital implants allow fibrovascular ingrowth and integration with the extraocular muscles. The available implants have different structural characteristics, which may influence orbital response. We studied the proliferation of orbital fibroblasts in vitro after exposure to four different orbital implants.


METHODS
Four orbital implant biomaterials were studied: hydroxyapatite (Bio-Eye), synthetic hydroxyapatite, porous polyethylene (Medpor) (pore sizes 150 microm and 400 microm) and aluminium oxide (Bioceramic implant). Human fibroblasts obtained from orbital fat at the time of elective blepharoplasty were cultured and then exposed to the individual implants. Cell growth was assessed with immunocytochemical analysis using bromodeoxyuridine, a thymidine analogue. After DNA denaturation, the cells were washed, incubated with secondary antibody and visualized.


RESULTS
The fibroblasts growing on the Bio-Eye, synthetic hydroxyapatite, and 150-microm and 400-microm Medpor implants all had debris associated with them. The Bioceramic implant was free of this debris. The Bioceramic implant and the 150-microm Medpor implant had the greatest number of fibroblasts on the coverslips.


CONCLUSIONS
The proliferation of fibroblasts, as determined by visualization of actively dividing cells with bromodeoxyuridine, differed on the various implants studied. The lack of debris associated with the Bioceramic implant may be related to the crystalline structure of the implant.
Mawn
L A
LA
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn. 37232-8808, USA. louise.mawn@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
Jordan
D R
DR
Gilberg
S
S
D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004261:DNA Replication; D017886:Durapatite; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D009915:Orbit / Q000166:cytology*; D020273:Orbital Implants; D020959:Polyethylene
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020959:Polyethylene; D004247:DNA; D017886:Durapatite; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D000537:Aluminum Oxide