title: UHMWPE and vitamin E bioactivity: an emerging perspective.
abstract: Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a semicrystalline biomaterial widely used in the components for articular prosthesis for its excellent mechanical qualities. Two major problems limit the UHMWPE prosthesis life-wearing and delamination, both phenomena being mainly due to chemical oxidation of polymer. Wearing causes the release of generated particulate that triggers a macrophage reaction leading to chronic inflammation and osteolysis, while delamination, due to the mechanical stress, macroscopically alters the surfaces. The most diffused method to reduce wearing is UHMWPE molecular cross-linking by high-energy irradiation followed by melting that also reduces polymer fatigue strength. For this reason, the use of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), as an anti-oxidative and biocompatible additive for normal and cross-linked UHMWPE, has been suggested as an alternative method to improve polymer wearing resistance without altering its mechanical strength. This paper describes briefly the rationale of vitamin E as UHMWPE additive and its possible use as an emerging perspective in the orthopaedic field.
authors.affiliation: Human Anatomy Laboratory, Research Center for Biocompatibility, Clinical and Experimental Medicine Department, University of Eastern Piedmont A. Avogadro, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Renò
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cannas
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000737:chemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000592:standards; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000209:etiology; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D013499:Surface Properties; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; D014810:Vitamin E