ABSTRACT
Although polyethylene wear particles have been implicated in osteolysis and implant loosening, this study is the first to test whether chemical eluates extracted from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) could also be involved in this process. Eluates were prepared from UHMWPE bar stock and examined for their effects on (3)H-thymidine incorporation by human foreskin fibroblasts grown in 96-well culture plates. Low concentrations of eluates stimulated (3)H-thymidine uptake; whereas, high concentrations inhibited uptake in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum inhibition of proliferation for eluates (87+/-0.03% inhibition, n = 45 paired wells) was greater than that observed for particles (54+/-0.07% inhibition, n = 45 paired wells). Ethylene oxide sterilization of UHMWPE reduced (3)H-thymidine uptake at low eluate concentrations relative to sterilization by gamma-irradiation. It was concluded that leachable eluates from UHMWPE implantse contribute to the osteolytic process at the bone-implant interface.
ABSTRACT
Periprosthetic osteolysis is a dominant factor in the success or failure of total hip prostheses. Polyethylene wear debris has been implicated in the process of bone resorption and subsequent implant loosening. The present study is the first to examine the effect of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear debris produced by a hip simulator on calvarial bone resorption in vitro. (45)Ca release was measured in cultured mouse calvarial bone samples. Although short-term exposure to UHMWPE particles (2 h) decreased (45)Ca release, longer-term exposure for 1-2 days increased release in a dose-dependent manner. After one-day exposure to 7.5 x 10(6) particles per mL, 18% more (45)Ca was released from cultured calvarial bone than from control samples. It was concluded that UHMWPE wear particles either directly or indirectly stimulated osteoclasts to activate bone resorption. Polyethylene wear debris contributes to the osteolytic process at the bone-implant interface.
