title: Zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) powders: ultrastructural and histological analysis.
abstract: Ceramic materials, as Alumina and Zirconia, has made an improvement in the choice of new biomaterials for the load bearing application in dental and orthopaedic implants. These materials has shown mechanical resistance to high stress related to weight bearing and low debris in time. For this reason they are indicated on young patients implant, with high demanding activities and long life expectance. In literature however the risk of chronic inflammation due to chronic wear debris release and the possibility of carcinogenesis, is still to be definitively investigated. Another point to investigate is the acute reaction of the tissue in case of acute release of powders of these materials. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible local and systemic acute effects of ceramic precursors in form of powders of different size when released into articular joint. Powders of ZTA were implanted in the knee joint of twenty-four New Zealand white adult rabbits, that were sacrificed at 1,3,6, and 12 months. Radiographic, histological and immunoistochemestry analysis were conducted on periprosthetic tissue and peripheral organs, to verifying local host response and systemic toxic effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Spinelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maccauro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Graci
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cittadini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magnani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sangiorgi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Del Bravo
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Manicone
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Raffaelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muratori
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sgambato
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology; D002516:Ceramics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010316:Particle Size; D011208:Powders; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D015040:Zirconium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011208:Powders; D015040:Zirconium; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; C028541:zirconium oxide