Rat peritoneal immune response to carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite implants.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the histocompatibility of differently cured carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites, studying their potential to induce an intolerance reaction in neighbouring tissues after peritoneal implantation in the rat. According to the microscopic and scanning electron microscope findings, the inductive capacity to generate connective tissue and cellular reaction was greatest in the partially cured material compared to the fully cured material. In addition, only the partially cured material implants appeared totally coated by macrophages at various stages of activation. The differences in the cellular reactions and scar tissue deposition in the interstices of these two composites are probably related to the chemical surface properties rather than to the structural characteristics of the materials.