Biocompatibility of polyacrylamide microcapsules implanted in peritoneal cavity or spleen of the rat. Effect on various inflammatory reactions in vitro.

The biocompatibility of polyacrylamide microcapsules was investigated by implanting microcapsules in the peritoneal cavity or the spleen of rats. The capsules were retrieved every four weeks for twenty weeks. They remained isolated and free in the peritoneal cavity, but led to a slight inflammatory reaction in the spleen. These results were confirmed, in vitro, by determinations of chemiluminescence and interleukin I levels, and by evaluation of attachment and growth of human fibroblasts. The microcapsules did not enhance these inflammatory reactions, and they were a poor support for cellular proliferation.