In vitro micronucleus induction by polymethyl methacrylate bone cement in cultured human lymphocytes.

Human lymphocytes cultured in vitro were used to assess the ability of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), currently used in orthopaedic surgery as bone cement, to induce micronuclei in binucleated cells. The results of the study show a significant increase in the micronucleus frequency in treated cultures and therefore the genotoxic effect of PMMA bone cement or its ingredients (methyl methacrylate, dimethyl para-toluidine and hydroquinone) usually present in self-curing methacrylate bone cement and released in small quantities after polymerisation. This effect is evident during the stage immediately after the polymerisation process, and after a certain period of time (5 days in our experimental model).