Abstract
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear debris induced osteolysis is a major cause of long term failure of total hip replacements. Particles in the 0.1–1.0_m size range are believed to have greater osteolytic potential than larger wear debris. Crosslinked polyethylenes have been shown to have improved wear resistance compared to non-crosslinked materials on smooth counterfaces, however wear debris from cross-linked UHMWPE has been shown to be smaller than that produced from non-crosslinked materials. The aim of this study was to compare the wear, wear debris and biological activity of non-crosslinked and crosslinked polyethylenes when worn against smooth and scratched counterfaces.
Materials and Methods: Test pins were machined from non-crosslinked GUR1050 and GUR1050 crosslinked with either 5 or 10Mrad of gamma irradiation. Sterile endotoxin free clinically relevant wear debris was generated using a bi-directional pin-on-plate test rig. Tests were performed on scratched (Rp=1.0mm) or smooth (Ra=0.02mm) counterfaces. Particles were cultured with murine macrophages at particle volume (mm3): cell number ratios of 50:1,10:1,1:1 and 0.1:1. The levels of TNF-a produced were determined by ELISA following 0,2,4,6,8,24 and 48 hours of culture.
Results: On both smooth and scratched counterfaces crosslinked polyethylene had lower wear than non-crosslinked polyethylene. Determination of the volume distribution of the wear debris demonstrated a greater percentage of wear debris in the submicrometre size range from crosslinked material when worn on scratched counterfaces. Analysis of the debris when worn on smooth counterfaces showed a further reduction in size of debris with particles observed below 100nm in size which reduced the percentage of debris in the sub-micrometre size range for both materials. Crosslinked material worn against scratched counterfaces generated wear debris that was able to stimulate macrophages to produce significant levels of TNF-a after just six hours of co-culture at the highest volumetric concentration and after 24 hours at lower volumetric concentrations. The non-crosslinked material was able to stimulate macrophages only after 24 hours at the highest volumetric concentration. There were no differences between the biological activity of the particles from the 3 materials articulating on the smooth counterfaces they were only able to stimulate significant TNF-a release following 24 hour with the highest volumetric concentration.
Discussion: Although wear resistance is increased by cross-linking on both smooth and scratched counterfaces, when worn against a scratched counterface crosslinked polyethylene generated a greater percentage of debris in the 0.1–1.0mm size range than non-crosslinked polyethylene and this led to an increase in biological activity. However when worn against smooth counterfaces the production of nanometre size wear particles by both materials reduced the volume of debris in the 0.1–1.0mm size range which in turn lead to a lower biological activity.
Correspondence should be addressed to Carlos Widgerowitz, Honorary Secretary BORS, Division of Surgery and Oncology, Section of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Tort Centre, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland.
