Effects of metallic debris on adult bovine articular chondrocyte metabolism in vitro

✍ Scribed by Dr. William J. Maloney; Frank Castro; David J. Schurman; R. Lane Smith

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 795 KB
• Volume: 5
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1045-4861
• DOI: 10.1002/jab.770050203

✦ Synopsis

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of particles, derived from metals commonly used in joint prostheses, on chondrocyte proliferation, metabolism, and morphology in vitro. Chondrocyte viability was influenced by the type and concentration of metal particle added. Cobalt was toxic to chondrocytes at all particle concentrations (0.83-0.000083%, v/v), whereas the chromium, titanium and titanium-aluminum particles only effected chondrocyte viability at high concentrations. The metabolic response of chondrocytes to particulate debris as assessed by caseinase, collagenase, and hexosaminidase activities were variable at low concentrations but were always reduced at high concentrations (0.83% v/v). Prostaglandin E2 levels in the medium showed a steady increase when particle load increased, except in the medium of chondrocytes exposed to titanium-aluminum. Scanning electron microscopy of chondrocytes exposed to titanium showed ruffled cell borders and frequent membrane blebbings. This was in contrast to chondrocytes exposed to cobalt, where the crenated appearance indicated cell death, and titanium-aluminum, where the cells appeared quiescent. These findings show that metal particles alter chondrocyte viability and metabolism and suggest that particulate debris may influence the integrity and stability of articular cartilage following hemiarthroplasty.