Water absorption characteristics and cytotoxic and biological evaluation of bone cements formulated with a novel activator.

ABSTRACT

A novel activator, N,N,Dimethylamino 4-benzyl laurate (DML) was used in the curing of acrylic bone cements, based on poly(methylmethacrylate). The water absorption characteristics were studied, and the behavior was found to be similar to commercial bone cements. The net amount of solubles were also in the same range as obtained for commercial cements cured with conventional activators. Biocompatibility tests were conducted on the neat activator (DML) and cured cements. The present study indicated that there were no toxic effects; furthermore, osteoblast-like cells were seen to proliferate and differentiate more readily on DML containing cements. The analysis of the effect of leachables from cements into the media showed continued cell proliferation and cell viability.