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Animal experiments with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) stabilised with α-tocopherol used for articulating surfaces in joint endoprostheses

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Abstract

Numerous investigations proved the impressive suitability of α-tocopherol as a stabilizer for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) used for endoprostheses. Regarding the biocompatibility of this new biomaterial, in-vitro celltoxicity tests gave no hint for a cyto- or genotoxic activity. In this study, animal experiments are carried out to further ensure the biocompatibility of this biomaterial.

Thin UHMW-PE-films (20 × 6 × 0.23 mm3) were implanted subcutaneously into rats. Morphology and reactivity of surrounding connective tissue against either pure UHMW-PE material or UHMW-PE containing α-tocopherol were studied at timed intervals (2 weeks, 3 month, and 6 month after operation) in 3 groups of animals, each group comprising 10 animals. Parallel to these tests, material changes were investigated in these 3 groups of 10 animals at the same intervals after operation with the help of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Within the implantation time, no noteworthy oxidative degradation could be observed. The amount of lost α-tocopherol due to diffusion is low enough to ensure a lifetime stabilisation of the UHMW-PE.

The implants were all well tolerated and definitely encapsulated already 2 weeks after operation. Presence or absence of α-tocopherol in the implants did not evince morphological differences. Therefore, negative consequences were not manifest in the presence of α-tocopherol.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry of Polymeric Materials, University of Leoben, 8700, Leoben, Austria

    C. Wolf & K. Lederer

  2. Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH (PCCL), Parkstraße 11, 8700, Leoben, Austria

    C. Wolf

  3. Institute of Biomedical Research, General Hospital Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    H. Bergmeister & U. Losert

  4. Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    P. Böck

Authors
  1. C. Wolf
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  2. K. Lederer
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  3. H. Bergmeister
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  4. U. Losert
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  5. P. Böck
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. Lederer.

Additional information

In partial fulfillment of a Ph.D. (Dr.mont.) thesis at the University of Leoben

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Wolf, C., Lederer, K., Bergmeister, H. et al. Animal experiments with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) stabilised with α-tocopherol used for articulating surfaces in joint endoprostheses. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 17, 1341–1347 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-006-0609-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-006-0609-5

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