title: Chemical eluates from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and fibroblast proliferation.
abstract: Although polyethylene wear particles have been implicated in osteolysis and implant loosening, this study is the first to test whether chemical eluates extracted from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) could also be involved in this process. Eluates were prepared from UHMWPE bar stock and examined for their effects on (3)H-thymidine incorporation by human foreskin fibroblasts grown in 96-well culture plates. Low concentrations of eluates stimulated (3)H-thymidine uptake; whereas, high concentrations inhibited uptake in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum inhibition of proliferation for eluates (87+/-0.03% inhibition, n = 45 paired wells) was greater than that observed for particles (54+/-0.07% inhibition, n = 45 paired wells). Ethylene oxide sterilization of UHMWPE reduced (3)H-thymidine uptake at low eluate concentrations relative to sterilization by gamma-irradiation. It was concluded that leachable eluates from UHMWPE implantse contribute to the osteolytic process at the bone-implant interface.
authors.affiliation: Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kate Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J Geoffrey
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Horne
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Devane
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Miller