Metabolism of degradation/corrosion products from tissue - material interactions.

This paper relates materials science, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, pathology and toxicology to the study of metabolism of degradation and corrosion products arising from tissue/material interactions. The mechanisms of absorption and distribution of released substances, either in solution or as particles, are considered together with their related chemistry. The importance of immune processes is discussed and their potential use for immunological analysis is illustrated by reference to nickel and mercury as used in the oral cavity.