In vivo biocompatibility studies. VII. Inflammatory response to polyethylene and to a cytotoxic polyvinylchloride.

The cellular biocompatibility of low-density polyethylene and a cytotoxic polyvinylchloride were investigated using an in vivo cage implant system. Components of the inflammatory response (white cells, extra-cellular alkaline and acid phosphatase, the complement component C3, and total protein content) were monitored over a 21-day implantation period. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the morphologic condition of leukocytes adherent to the implanted polymers. Prior to implantation, each polymer was evaluated using an established primary acute toxicity screen. The results showed that the cytotoxic polyvinylchloride stimulated an intense acute phase inflammatory response, and at later observation periods, an intense and increasing chronic inflammatory response. In contrast, the polyethylene promoted relatively small increases in the acute and chronic phases of inflammation; the overall cellular response being essentially resolved by the third week after implantation. The initial toxicity screen of each polymer suggested that the observed differences in inflammation were primarily caused by the release from the polyvinylchloride of the added cytotoxic agent (dioctyltinbisoctylmercaptoacetate).