[Immunoglobulin G coating of ceramic powders enhances superoxide production]

Crystals and a group of ceramics used in joint replacement surgery were incubated with polymorphonuclear cells with and without adsorbed immunoglobulin G to study their ability to generate superoxide anion. All eight particles tested had the capacity to induce superoxide anion to at least some extent. Alumina ceramic and some of the ceramics adsorbed small amounts of immunoglobulin G onto their surfaces and the increment of superoxide production was also small. Both the augmentation of superoxide anion and the adsorption of immunoglobulin G to tricalcium phosphate ceramic and the remaining ceramics were intermediate. Synthetic monosodium urate crystals adsorbed immunoglobulin G most efficiently with large increments of superoxide anion. The increase in superoxide production by the adsorption of immunoglobulin G depended on the amount of immunoglobulin G bound onto crystals or ceramics. The greater phlogistic potential of some ceramics need to be taken into consideration in their clinical use.