[Influence of resterilized polypropylen meshes on growth of human fibroblasts--an experimental in vitro study]. / Einfluss resterilisierter Kunststoffnetze aus Polypropylen auf das Wachstum humaner Fibroblasten--Eine experimentelle in vitro Studie.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the influence of resterilized polypropylen meshes (Prolene(R)) on proliferation and apoptosis of human fibroblasts in an experimental in vitro study. METHOD: Human fibroblasts were seeded into six-well culture dishes in a density of 3 x 10 (4) cells/well. After resterilization of meshes (steam autoclave, 121 degrees C, 20 min.) according to the manufacturer's recommendations (Ethicon, Norderstedt) square sheets of 2 x 2 cm were incubated with fibroblasts over a period of 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 h. Preparations of fibroblasts with non-resterilized meshes and without meshes served as controls. Proliferation index and apoptotic index were estimated by flow cytometry after cell staining with an FITC-conjugated antibody against the Ki-67 antigen or with FITC-conjugated Annexin-V and propidium jodide, respectively. RESULTS: A significant reduction of the proliferation index from 86 % to 42 % was found after 48 h incubation of cells with resterilized meshes, whereas only a slight decrease was found in the group with non-resterilized meshes (75 %) and in controls without meshes (80 %). Apoptotic index increased significantly from 2 % to 48 % after 48 h incubation with resterilized meshes in comparison to both control groups, where only a slight increase could be observed: non-resterilized meshes to 19 % and without meshes to 10 %. CONCLUSION: Resterilized meshes inhibit growth of human fibroblats in vitro significantly, demonstrated by a reduced proliferative activity and an increased apoptotic index. This could be caused by a release of toxic substances from the meshes, which have a negative influence on cell growth. Therefore, resterilization cannot be recommended.

[Polypropylene synthetic mesh modifies growth of human cells in vitro. An experimental study]. / Kunststoffnetze aus Polypropylen beeinflussen das Wachstum humaner Zellen in vitro. Eine experimentelle Studie.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of polypropylene meshes on the proliferation and apoptosis of human cell cultures in vitro. METHODS: Human fibroblasts and HeLa cells were incubated in different densities (10(4), 3.10(4), 10(5) cells/well) together with polypropylene meshes (Prolene, 2 x 2 cm) in six-well culture dishes over a 48-h period. Cells without meshes served as controls. Cells were spun on slides and stained with the monoclonal antibody MIB-1. To calculate the proliferation indices, stained nuclei were counted. Apoptotic indices were determined by flow cytometric analysis, using FITC-conjugated Annexin-V and propidiumjodide for staining. RESULTS: Fibroblasts showed only a slight reduction of the proliferation index (PI) from 64% (controls) to 60% (meshes). Increasing cell density leads to a decrease in the PI of both groups. The PI of HeLa cells was similar in mesh groups and controls and independent of cell density. The apoptotic index (AI) of fibroblasts was significantly higher in the mesh group (3.7%) in comparison with the controls (1.9%). The same was observed for HeLa cells (AI mesh group: 4.5%, AI controls: 1.2%). Furthermore, an increase of AI was found with increasing cell density in both cell lines. CONCLUSION: Whereas meshes did not influence the proliferation of the cell lines examined, they seem to have a marked influence on apoptosis, as a significant increase of AI was observed in the mesh group in contrast to controls.