Cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of biomaterials based in polyhydroxybutyrate reinforced with cellulose nanowhiskers determined in human peripheral leukocytes

摘要

Implants ofmaterials that are typically considered inert have been shownto cause early inflammatory complications. In addition, implant wear productsmay also cause overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines in the long run.Among the cytokines is tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα),which not only participates in the inflammatory response but also in the degradation of the bone.Therefore, a lack of production of TNFαby the cells of the immune systemin contact with a candidatematerial for implant design is an indication of the acceptance of the biomaterial, and predicts the inflammatory response responsible for implant intolerance.There is no standard laboratory test to evaluate an individual response of a patient to a possible implant, although the use of peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMCs) has been suggested.Here, we evaluated the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of filmsmade of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) reinforced with different concentrations of cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) using PBMCs fromhealthy donors. Cells fromhealthy donors were cultured in the presence of films of the biomaterial during 24 h and 7 d and the cell viability and proinflammatory cytokinesTNFαand IL6 production weremeasured.We confirmed thatPHB,CNWs and the reinforced blends (PHB/CNWs) are safe and lack cytotoxicity in human cells,whichmake themgood candidates for implantmaterials.