Effect of implanted Cu/low-density polyethylene nanocomposite on the morphology of endometrium in the mouse.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the damage of endometrium caused by the implanted Cu/low-density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposite and the contraceptive effect of this novel copper-containing intrauterine device material.


METHODS
Experimental animal study.


METHODS
TongJi Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.


METHODS
Sixty healthy female mice.


METHODS
Twenty mice received no implants, 20 mice received the Cu/LDPE nanocomposite, and 20 mice received bulk copper.


METHODS
Morphologic features of the endometrium, contraceptive effect, and surface condition of the implanted implants.


RESULTS
The contraceptive effect of both the Cu/LDPE nanocomposite and bulk copper is 100%, the damage of the endometrium caused by the Cu/LDPE nanocomposite is much less than that caused by bulk copper, and the surface of the implanted Cu/LDPE nanocomposite is much smoother and much softer than that of the implanted bulk copper.


CONCLUSIONS
The contraceptive effect of the Cu/LDPE nanocomposite is comparable with that of bulk copper, and the damage of the endometrium caused by the Cu/LDPE nanocomposite is much less than that caused by bulk copper. The endometrium injury is related to the surface condition of the implanted intrauterine device material.
Xia
Xianping
X
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Xie
Changsheng
C
Zhu
Changhong
C
Cai
Shuizhou
S
Yang
Xiangliang
X
D000818:Animals; D003267:Contraception / Q000295:instrumentation; D003300:Copper / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper / Q000009:adverse effects; D051379:Mice; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003300:Copper; D020959:Polyethylene