Migration stability of α-tocopherol in irradiated UHMWPE

The oxidation resistance of irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) components used in total joint arthroplasty can be improved by adding α-tocopherol (vitamin E) through diffusion. To ensure long-term oxidative stability, a minimum α-tocopherol concentration needs to be maintai...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomaterials 2006-04, Vol.27 (11), p.2434-2439
Main Authors: Oral, Ebru, Wannomae, Keith K., Rowell, Shannon L., Muratoglu, Orhun Kamil
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alpha-Tocopherol - administration & dosage
alpha-Tocopherol - pharmacokinetics
Animals
Antioxidant
Biocompatible Materials
Cattle
Degradation
Drug Stability
Highly cross-linked polyethylene
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Joint Prosthesis
Joint replacement
Materials Testing
Oxidation
Oxidation-Reduction
Polyethylenes - radiation effects
Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
Vitamin E
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Summary:The oxidation resistance of irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) components used in total joint arthroplasty can be improved by adding α-tocopherol (vitamin E) through diffusion. To ensure long-term oxidative stability, a minimum α-tocopherol concentration needs to be maintained throughout these components. Migration of α-tocopherol out of the components is one mechanism that could compromise long-term oxidative stability. We hypothesized that α-tocopherol could elute out during standard implant fabrication steps such as cleaning as well as during in vivo use. We doped 85 kGy irradiated UHMWPE with α-tocopherol at 120 °C and homogenized at 120 °C. We determined the extent of elution of α-tocopherol or its effect on oxidative stability following cleaning in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and following 5 million cycles (MC) of simulated normal gait in bovine serum. There was no significant elution of α-tocopherol in repeated and prolonged cleaning in IPA as measured by average surface and bulk α-tocopherol concentrations. There was no change in the oxidative stability following 5 MC of hip simulator testing, indicating minimal elution during simulated normal gait.
ISSN:0142-9612
1878-5905
DOI:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2005.11.001