title: Cytotoxicity evaluation of polymer-derived ceramics for pacemaker electrode applications.
abstract: Ceramics are known to be chemically stable, and the possibility to electrically dope polymer-derived ceramics makes it a material of interest for implantable electrode applications. We investigated cytotoxic characteristics of four polymer-derived ceramic candidates with either electrically conductive or insulating properties. Cytotoxicity was assessed by culturing C2C12 myoblast cells under two conditions: by exposing them to material extracts and by putting them directly in contact with material samples. Cell spreading was optically evaluated by comparing microscope observations immediately after the materials insertion and after 24 h culturing. Cell viability (MTT) and mortality (LDH) were quantified after 24-h incubation in contact with the materials. Comparison was made with biocompatible positive references (alumina, platinum, biocompatible stainless steel 1.4435), negative references (latex, stainless steel 1.4301) and controls (no material present in the culture wells). We found that the cytotoxic properties of tested ceramics are comparable to established reference materials. These ceramics, which are reported to be very stable, can be microstructured and electrically doped to a wide range of conductivity and are thus excellent candidates for implantable electrode applications including pacemakers.
authors: Microsystems Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale De Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland.
authors: Jonas
authors: J
authors: Grossenbacher
authors: Microsystems Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale De Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland.
authors: Maurizio R
authors: MR
authors: Gullo
authors: Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics, EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Duebendorf, CH-8600, Switzerland.|Multifunctional Materials, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ), Zurich, CH-8092, Switzerland.
authors: Federico
authors: F
authors: Dalcanale
authors: Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics, EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Duebendorf, CH-8600, Switzerland.
authors: Gurdial
authors: G
authors: Blugan
authors: Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics, EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Duebendorf, CH-8600, Switzerland.
authors: Jakob
authors: J
authors: Kuebler
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital and University of Berne, Berne, CH-3010, Switzerland.
authors: Stéphanie
authors: S
authors: Lecaudé
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital and University of Berne, Berne, CH-3010, Switzerland.
authors: Hendrik
authors: H
authors: Tevaearai Stahel
authors: Microsystems Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale De Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland.
authors: Juergen
authors: J
authors: Brugger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002516:Ceramics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004566:Electrodes; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
keywords: cytotoxicity; implantable materials; myoblast; polymer-derived ceramic; variable conductivity