异种骨内固定器力学性能的实验研究

目的 了解牛骨材料及其构件的力学强度[抗拉、抗压、抗折(弯曲)和抗扭(剪切)强度]。方法 将材料分为天然、处理和构件(即产品)三组并制成标准试件,用规定设备按标准方法进行检测。结果 (1)牦牛股骨拉伸、压缩、抗折、扭转极限应力分别为106.35±3.45、127.60±2.65、225.9±4.l、53.45±1.55(MPa),胫骨拉伸、压缩、抗折、扭转极限应力分别为114.96±1.46、184.75±3.25、211.35±2.45、51.9±0.5(MPa)。湖区水牛胫骨拉伸、压缩、抗折、扭转极限应力分别为128.1±11、195.8±9.4、167.4±12.7、54.25±0.75(MPa)。(2)EO气熏灭菌对牛骨材料的力学性能无明显影响,幅照灭菌对牛骨材料的力学性能稍有影响。(3)处理后,牛骨螺钉、圆钉的抗折强度较材料有所降低,而抗拉强度、抗压强度、抗扭强度变化不大。结论 牛骨是一种力学性能良好,适合制作内固定构件的高强度生物材料。     

异种骨内固定器力学性能的实验研究

目的了解牛骨材料及其构件的力学强度[抗拉、抗压、抗折(弯曲)和抗扭(剪切)强度].方法将材料分为天然、处理和构件(即产品)三组并制成标准试件,用规定设备按标准方法进行检测.结果(1)牦牛股骨拉伸、压缩、抗折、扭转极限应力分别为106.35±3.45、127.60±2.65、225.9±4.1、53.45±1.55(MPa),胫骨拉伸、压缩、抗折、扭转极限应力分别为114.96±1.46、184.75±3.25、211.35±2.45、51.9±0.5(MPa).湖区水牛胫骨拉伸、压缩、抗折、扭转极限应力分别为1 28.1±11、195.8±9.4、167.4±1 2.7、54.25±0.75(MPa).(2)E0气薰灭菌对牛骨材料的力学性能无明显影响,幅照灭菌对牛骨材料的力学性能稍有影响.(3)处理后,牛骨螺钉、圆钉的抗折强度较材料有所降低,而抗拉强度、抗压强度、抗扭强度变化不大.结论牛骨是一种力学性能良好,适合制作内固定构件的高强度生物材料.     

骨水泥颅骨整形修补的实验研究

为了从种类繁多的颅骨修补生物材料中，选择较理想的一种。我们在骨水泥的理化、生物力学、磁学及热力学等方面进行了测定，并与其它颅骨修补材料相比较，以益于临床工作。（１）模拟腐蚀实验：将ＴＪ骨骨粘固剂固化体（天津合成材料工业研究所产品，下称骨水泥）、有机玻...     

模拟体液浸泡法评价柠檬酸钙的生物学特性

背景：柠檬酸钙本身的溶解性能优于磷酸钙、硫酸钙等其他钙生物材料,并且合成的柠檬酸钙致密性良好,在降解过程中可高效平稳释放钙离子,所以更适合用于骨折缺损的填充,为骨折愈合初期提供所需要的钙离子。 目的：将天然生物矿化牡蛎壳和柠檬酸反应生成生物型柠檬酸钙生物材料,以期望在骨折愈合修复方面得到良好的应用。 方法：通过球磨机粉碎天然生物矿化的牡蛎壳,再经研磨制备成适合粒径的牡蛎壳粉,与柠檬酸反应得到生物型柠檬酸钙,再经研磨,过筛,得到适宜大小的柠檬酸钙颗粒。应用X射线和FT-IR光谱研究材料的结构和组分,扫描电子显微镜观察材料的表面形态,模拟体液实验评价其生物特性。 结果与结论：牡蛎壳粉末与饱和柠檬酸发生化学反应,转化生成了柠檬酸钙材料,并且晶体结构排列有序,形态紧密,晶体之间结合紧凑,具有一定的力学性能,这种结构也有利于延长材料的降解时间,平稳释放钙离子。柠檬酸钙在降解吸收过程中并未明显改变体液的pH值,整个pH值波动于7.20-7.46之间,对人体细胞的刺激性小。随着柠檬酸钙材料的逐渐降解,溶液中Ca2+浓度逐渐增大,且释放相对平缓,最终达到适宜成骨细胞增殖分化所需的胞外钙浓度,逐步稳定在7 mmol/L左右。表明以天然牡蛎壳为原料制备的柠檬酸钙具有优良的生物特性,作为人工骨材料具有天然的优越性。     

美斯地浓聚乳酸载药纳米粒的制备及体外释放

背景：美斯地浓临床常用于治疗重症肌无力,但其水溶性较强,半衰期短,生物利用度低,给药频率高,患者依从性差,因此提高其缓释作用对临床应用有重要意义。 目的：制备美斯地浓聚乳酸纳米粒,并考察其体外释放性能。 方法：以聚乳酸为载药材料,采用复乳液中干燥法制备美斯地浓聚乳酸纳米粒,运用单因素实验设计优化处方,动态透析法进行体外药物释放实验。 结果与结论：确定以二氯甲烷作为油相制备纳米粒,内水相与油相的比例1∶10,聚乳酸浓度6%,外水相聚乙烯醇浓度3%,美斯地浓投药量40 mg为最佳制备工艺,此条件制备的药物纳米粒包封率和载药率分别为(67.59±1.46)%和(4.31±0.17)%。美斯地浓聚乳酸纳米粒的平均粒径为937 nm,圆球形,表面光滑,未观察到粘连现象。与美斯地浓游离药物相比,美斯地浓聚乳酸纳米粒存在突释现象,之后呈现缓慢释放特性,72 h释放量为57.03%,提示成功制备美斯地浓聚乳酸纳米粒,具有缓释效应。     

新型医用无镍不锈钢的生物相容性评价

背景：BIOSSN4无镍不锈钢是一种奥氏体医用不锈钢材料,在中国药品生物制品检定所通过了标准的溶血实验、细胞毒性实验和致敏实验。 目的：评价新型医用BIOSSN4无镍不锈钢的体外细胞毒性及抗腐蚀性。 方法：将小鼠L929成纤维细胞悬液以1×108 L-1的浓度接种于96孔板,分5组培养,分别加入BIOSSN4无镍不锈钢浸提液、316L不锈钢浸提液、金合金浸提液、铅材料浸提液(阳性对照)及RPMI1640培养液(阴性对照)。培养1,2,3 d,观察细胞形态,采用MTT法检测各组吸光度值,计算细胞相对增殖率,评价毒性分级。在模拟口腔环境中,检测BIOSSN4无镍不锈钢、316L不锈钢及金合金的自腐蚀电位、自腐蚀电流密度及极化电阻。 结果与结论：培养3 d内,铅材料浸提液组细胞皱缩,细胞数量明显减少,细胞相对增殖率低于其余4组(P < 0.05);其余4组细胞形态良好,增殖旺盛,细胞相对增殖率均在75%以上。BIOSSN4无镍不锈钢浸提液、316L不锈钢浸提液与金合金浸提液的毒性均为1级,铅材料浸提液的毒性为2至3级,表明BIOSSN4无镍不锈钢具有良好的生物相容性。BIOSSN4无镍不锈钢的抗腐蚀性高于316L不锈钢,低于金合金。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程     

不同树脂粘接剂对纤维桩粘接强度及断裂界面的作用

背景：树脂类粘接剂粘接纤维桩的良好性能已被肯定,但不同种类树脂粘接剂的粘接性能不同。 目的：比较Bisco One-step、Clearfil DC及3M RelyX Unicem三种树脂粘接系统对纤维桩的剪切粘接强度,研究纤维桩与根管壁牙本质间的粘接性能。 方法：将15颗人离体牙在釉牙骨质界冠方1 mm处与牙体长轴方向垂直去除牙冠,磨平,常规热牙胶技术根管治疗后,随机分为3组,分别采用Bisco One-step、Clearfil DC及3M RelyX Unicem树脂粘接剂将玻璃纤维桩黏固于根管内,包埋后分别切片制备2 mm厚的样本,采用微推出法测试各组样本的粘接剪切强度;在高倍显微镜下观察所有被测样本的破坏类型。 结果与结论：Bisco One-step粘接剂组、Clearfil DC粘接剂组及3M RelyX Unicem粘接剂组的粘接强度分别为(4.69±1.85),(6.10±0.36),(7.04±0.92) MPa,Bisco One-step粘接剂组粘接强度与Clearfil DC粘接剂组、3M RelyX Unicem粘接剂组比较差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05),Clearfil DC粘接剂组粘接强度与3M RelyX Unicem粘接剂组比较差异无显著性意义。所有样本均主要为Ⅱ,Ⅳ型破坏,即脱出的桩表面完全被粘接剂覆盖或根管壁及桩表面均有部分粘接剂覆盖。表明3种粘接系统对纤维桩粘接强度差异显著,根管壁牙本质-粘接树脂界面是粘接薄弱环节。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：     

腹壁修补材料的研究及应用进展

巨大腹壁缺损的修补是外科医生经常面临的难题,寻找理想的修补材料以修复缺损至关重要。用于修复腹壁缺损的材料一般分为生物性和非生物性两种。前者的力学性能较好,而后者的生物相容性更佳。目前公认尚没找到一种完全理想的腹壁替代材料.作者对常用生物材料和非生物材料的特性、应用、优缺点等做一综述。     

人工颈椎间盘不同涂层影响骨髓间充质干细胞的黏附及分化

背景：钛合金人工颈椎间盘具有良好的生物相容性,但钛合金存在生物活性差、与骨结合强度低、在生理环境下易造成金属离子释放等问题。 目的：观察国产人工颈椎间盘钛合金终板不同涂层对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞黏附、分化的影响。 方法：将第3代Wistar大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,接种于含羟基磷灰石涂层、钛粉复合羟基磷灰石涂层的钛合金板及裸钛合金板的24孔板内,培养的第24,48小时后分别终止培养,扫描电镜观察细胞生长情况;接种24 h后加成骨诱导剂进行诱导,并于第3,5,7天各收集细胞裂解后离心的上清,检测碱性磷酸酶表达。 结果与结论：骨髓间充质干细胞与材料复合培养48 h后,羟基磷灰石组和钛粉复合羟基磷灰石组表面的细胞呈多角形,并伸出细长伪足伸入到材料的微孔内,与材料表面紧密黏附;而裸钛合金组骨髓间充质干细胞分化较差且黏附率低。随时间延长,各组碱性磷酸酶表达均增加,羟基磷灰石组和钛粉复合羟基磷灰石组各时间点的碱性磷酸酶表达均较裸钛合金组明显增高(P < 0.05)。表明羟基磷灰石、钛粉复合羟基磷灰石涂层可有促进大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的黏附和分化。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：     

生物材料静态血清接触对总补体溶血活性(CH50)影响的实验研究

机体在抗原的作用下产生一系列免疫反应,血清中总补体含量的变化可反映补体活化及免疫反应程度.本文参照有关标准方法,选择八种生物材料,与血清进行体外培养,在不同时间内测定总补体溶血活性(CH50),探讨生物材料免疫反应.试验结果表明,八种材料接触血清测得CH50值均低于对照组,但每种材料降低程度有所不同,CA和PETF降低最明显,CH50定值均＜40单位@ml-1,而对照组为80单位@ml-1.PP和BC材料的CH50值与对照组结果比基本一致.PETF和PES两种材料接触不同时间(30min,90min,120min)随时间的延长逐渐降低,而PETF降低较明显.该研究初步表明CA和PETF材料具有活化补体,降低CH50值,提高免疫反应的作用.     

Mechanical properties, phase stability, and biocompatibility of (Y, Nb)-TZP/Al(2)O(3) composite abutments for dental implant

ZrO(2)/Al(2)O(3) composites were prepared by mixing a tetragonal ZrO(2), stabilized by 5.31 mol% Y(2)O(3) and 4.45 mol% Nb(2)O(5), and various amounts of Al(2)O(3). Influence of the amount of Al(2)O(3) on strength and toughness and tetragonal phase stability in the composites under autoclave conditions was investigated. In addition, in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of the composites was examined. The composite, prepared with addition of 20 vol% Al(2)O(3), exhibited the highest strength of 700 MPa and toughness of 8.1 MPa. m(1/2) and showed no hydrothermal degradation while aging in an autoclave. The biocompatibility of the composite exhibited no cytotoxicity and no significant adverse soft-tissue response for up to 3 months implant period in guinea pigs.     

Biological glass coating on ceramic materials: in vitro evaluation using primary osteoblast cultures from healthy and osteopenic rat bone

ZrO2 and Al2O3 substrates were successfully coated by a double layer of a silica-based glass named RKKP, using a low-cost firing technique. RKKP is a glass well known for its bioactivity; therefore, a RKKP coating on Al2O3 or ZrO2, allows to combine the excellent mechanical properties of these strong ceramic substrates with its bioactivity. ZrO2 samples were easily coated using a double layer of RKKP by a simple enamelling technique. To accommodate the thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between Al2O3 and RK K P, this substrate was coated using a multilayered composite approach. All of the coatings were characterised from a morphological and compositional point of view, and an extensive biological evaluation was performed using fresh rat osteoblasts. Osteoblast primary cultures were derived from the trabecular bone of femoral condyles harvested from intact (NB) and osteopenic (OB) rats. After characterisation of their phenotype, osteoblasts were seeded on material samples of ZrO2 or Al2O3 coated with RKKP, and cultured for 7 days. Cell proliferation (MTT test) and cell differentiation (alkaline phosphatase activity) were evaluated at the end of the experiment, to assess osteoblast behaviour in the presence of biomaterials and determine if the results were related to the host bone quality. Results of both materials showed a good level of biocompatibility. In particular, MTT significant higher values were detected in NB cultures on ZrO2-RKKP samples; ALP activity significantly increased in NB cultures on Al2O3-RKKP and in OB cultures on both coated samples.     

纳米含氟羟基磷灰石牙种植体的生物相容性

背景：有关纳米含氟羟基磷灰石牙种植体材料生物相容性的报道较少。 目的：检测纳米含氟羟基磷灰石牙种植体材料的体外生物相容性。 方法：采用溶胶凝胶技术分别制备羟基磷灰石与纳米含氟羟基磷灰石。①溶血性实验：在0.2 mL稀释兔抗凝血中分别加入0.01,0.15,0.2 g/L纳米含氟羟基磷灰石溶液、生理盐水及蒸馏水各10 mL,检测各组上清液吸光度值。②体外细胞毒性实验：分别以100%,50%纳米含氟羟基磷灰石浸提液、100%羟基磷灰石浸提液、苯酚溶液及RPMI1640培养液培养传至第2代的L929细胞,MTT法检测培养2,4,7 d的吸光度值。 结果与结论：体外溶血性实验显示,各浓度梯度纳米含氟羟基磷灰石的溶血率均在5%以内,符合医用材料的溶血要求。体外细胞毒性实验显示,随着培养时间的增加,100%,50%纳米含氟羟基磷灰石浸提液组细胞贴壁覆盖率增加,细胞密度增高,细胞为长梭形或多角形,细胞增殖及形态与RPMI1640培养液组、羟基磷灰石组无明显差别,细胞毒性为0级。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：     

Surface modification of A12O3 bioceramic by NH2+ ion implantation

Ion implantation technique was applied to graft the -NH2 amidogen radicals onto the surface of Al2O3 bioceramic. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the presence of the implanted radicals on the Al2O3 ceramic surface. It was found that the amount of grafted amidogen radicals was proportional to the dosage of NH2+ ions used during the ion implantation. Furthermore, when implantation energy of 100 keV was used, maximum amount of -NH2 radicals would be grafted on the Al2O3 ceramic surface. The biocompatibility of the implanted Al2O3 ceramic was also investigated, and the results indicate that the implanted surface has better biocompatibility with animal bone tissue than the plain ceramic surface.     

Biological reaction to alumina,zirconia, titanium and polyethylene particles implanted onto murine calvaria

Periprosthetic osteolysis is a serious problem that limits long-term survival of total hip arthroplasty. Ceramics have been introduced as a joint surface material to reduce osteolysis due to wear particles. The aim of this study is to investigate the biological reaction of ceramic particles on murine calvarial bone, in comparison with polyethylene and titanium particles. Sixty CL/BL6 mice were divided into five groups according to the materials implanted onto the murine calvariae: control, Al(2)O(3), ZrO(2), high-density polyethylene (HDP) and Ti6Al4V. One week after the implantation, each calvarial tissue was dissected and the release of proinflammatory mediators (IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha) and bone resorption were assessed. The particles of HDP and Ti6Al4V induced three and two times larger osteolytic lesions than the control, respectively. The levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 were significantly elevated in the medium subcultured with the calvariae of HDP and Ti6Al4V groups. Any particle type did not increase the levels of TNF-alpha. There were no significant differences observed in the levels of proinflammatory mediators or osteolytic area among Al(2)O(3), ZrO(2) and control groups. The inflammatory response and bone resorption induced by ceramic particles were much smaller than those induced by HDP and Ti6Al4V. These biological features suggest the biocompatibility of ceramics as a joint surface material for artificial joints.     

Ceramic and PMMA particles differentially affect osteoblast phenotype

There is increasing evidence that wear debris particles present in periprosthetic tissues have direct effects on osteoblasts. The nature of the cell response varies with the chemistry of the particle and the number of particles. Most studies have used Ti, Ti-6Al-4V, and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles since these materials are most frequently used in implants and as a result, these particles predominate in peri-prosthetic tissues. Ceramics have also been used successfully as load-bearing surfaces in implants for years, although it is unknown how wear debris from these surfaces may contribute to aseptic bone loss. Further, particles resulting from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cements used for fixation may also be involved in aseptic loosening of implants, but how these particles may affect bone formation is unknown. In the present study, we examined whether aluminum oxide (Al2O3), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), and PMMA particles exert effects on osteoblast proliferation, phenotypic expression, and local factor production, and if so, whether the effects were specific to the particle type. ZrO2 particles were produced in a custom-made axial mixer in which ZrO2 containers were filled with ZrO2 bars and 95% ethanol and then rotated continuously at room temperature. PMMA particles were prepared in a ZrO2 roller mill. Al2O3 was produced and provided by Aesculap AG. Particles were endotoxin-free with equivalent circle diameters <3 microm; Al2O3 particles were significantly smaller than ZrO2 or PMMA particles. Particle suspensions were added to confluent cultures of MG63 osteoblast-like cells after diluting them 1:100, 1:10, and 1:1 with culture medium. Cells were incubated with the particles for 24 h. Transmission electron microscopy showed that MG63 cells phagocytosed Al2O3 particles and exhibited ultrastructural changes consistent with cytotoxicity. This was supported by biochemical changes as well. Proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and TGF-beta1 levels were decreased. ZrO2 and PMMA particles increased proliferation and alkaline phosphatase specific activity. The effect of ZrO2 on alkaline phosphatase was targeted to matrix vesicles, the effect of PMMA was greater on the cells. All particles increased prostaglandin E2 production. These results show that Al2O3, ZrO2, and PMMA particles elicit direct effects on osteoblasts and that cell response depends on the particle type. None of the particles tested had the same effect as noted previously for UHMWPE: increased proliferation and decreased alkaline phosphatase. These results may indicate that the response of peri-prosthetic tissues to wear particles may be modulated by the relative contributions of the various particle types present.     

HDPE-Al2O3-HAp composites for biomedical applications: processing and characterizations

The objective of this work is to demonstrate how the stiffness, hardness, as well as the biocompatibility property, of bioinert high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can be significantly improved by the combined addition of both bioinert and bioactive ceramic fillers. For this purpose, different volume fractions of hydroxyapatite and alumina, limited to a total of 40 vol %, have been incorporated in HDPE matrix. All the hybrid composites and monolithic HDPE were developed under optimized hot pressing condition (130 degrees C, 0.5 h, 92 MPa pressure). The results of the mechanical property characterization reveal that higher elastic modulus (6.2 GPa) and improved hardness (226.5 MPa) could be obtained in the developed HDPE-20 vol %-HAp-20 vol % Al(2)O(3) composite. Under the selected fretting conditions against various counterbody materials (steel, Al(2)O(3), and ZrO(2)), an extremely low COF of (0.07-0.11) and higher wear resistance (order of 10(-6) mm(3)/Nm) are obtained with the HDPE/20 vol % HAp/20 vol % Al(2)O(3) composite in both air and simulated body fluid environment. Importantly, in-vitro cell culture study using L929 fibroblast cells confirms favorable cell adhesion properties in the developed hybrid composite.     

Biocompatibility and bioactivity enhancement of Ce stabilized ZrO(2) doped HA coatings by controlled porosity change of Al(2) O(3) substrates

Al(2) O(3) substrates with controlled porosity were manufactured from nanosized powders obtained by plasma processing. It was observed that when increasing the sintering temperature the overall porosity was decreasing, but the pores got larger. In a second step, Ce stabilized ZrO(2) doped hydroxyapatite coatings were pulsed laser deposited onto the Al(2) O(3) substrates. It was shown that the surface morphology, consisting of aggregates and particulates in micrometric range, was altered by the substrate porosity and interface properties, respectively. TEM studies evidenced that Ce stabilized ZrO(2) doped HA particulates ranged from 10 to 50 nm, strongly depending on the Al(2) O(3) porosity. The coatings consisted of HA nanocrystals embedded in an amorphous matrix quite similar to the bone structure. These findings were congruent with the increased biocompatibility and bioactivity of these layers confirmed by enhanced growing and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells.     

The effect of varying Al2O3 percentage in hydroxyapatite/Al2O3 composite materials: morphological, chemical and cytotoxic evaluation

Hydroxyapatite (HA) and HA-alumina (HA/Al2O3) composites, with Al2O3 contents of 5, 10, 20, and 30%, were synthesized using a wet precipitation method and sintered at 900 and 1300 degrees C. We investigated the effect of sintering temperature and relative concentration of HA and Al2O3 on the chemical composition, surface morphology, and cytotoxicity of the composite powders. The XRD results show that in the 1300 degrees C composites, HA partially decomposed into CaO which combined with Al2O3 to form different calcium aluminates. For the 900 degrees C composites the CaO phase was not detected, though a Ca/P ratio larger than 1.67 measured by XPS suggests that CaO was present in trace amounts. SEM-EDX analysis indicated that the HA microstructure was affected by the sintering temperature, and this HA is present on the surface of Al2O3 particles. The cytotoxicity of the composites was assessed indirectly using the MTT assay. The short-term effect of leachables was quantified by exposing a L929 mouse fibroblast cell line to the degradation products released by the composites after immersion in the cell culture medium. Degradation products were less toxic to L-929 at lower extract concentrations (10, 50%) than at 100% concentration. Cell viability was also influenced by leachable size.     

Induction of macrophage apoptosis by ceramic and polyethylene particles in vitro

The purpose of this study was to investigate in vitro the presence of apoptotic cell death after macrophage stimulation with different ceramic (Al2O3 and ZrO2) and high density polyethylene (HDP) particles. We also analyzed the effects of particle size, concentration, and composition. The J774 mouse macrophage cell line was exposed to commercial particles of different sizes (up to 4.5 microm) and concentrations (up to 500 particles per macrophage). Fluorescence microscopy and DNA laddering were used to investigate the presence of apoptosis in cell cultures after 24 h of incubation. Fluorescence microscopy of propidium iodide stained cells showed two characteristic morphological features that occur in apoptotic cells, namely nuclear condensation and heterogeneity of stain uptake. The effect of ceramic particles on apoptotic nuclear morphology was size- and concentration-dependent and reached a plateau above 150 particles per macrophage at 1.3 microm. With regards to composition, we did not find any difference in cell morphology between Al2O3 and ZrO2. Ceramic and HDP particles induced DNA fragmentation into oligonucleosomes as evidenced by DNA laddering, another characteristic of apoptosis. The induction of DNA laddering was size- and concentration-dependent whereas particle composition (Al2O3 vs. ZrO2 and Al2O3 vs. HDP) had no effect. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that ceramic and HDP particles induce macrophage apoptotic cell death in vitro and open doors for possible modulation of debris-induced periprosthetic osteolysis.