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The effect of starch glove powder on joint and other tissues
T Rae1, L A McCormick-Thomson, D W Murray
1University of Cambridge, Orthopaedic Research Unit.
Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to establish the possible role of starch glove powder in complications following orthopaedic surgery using in vivo and in vitro techniques. Exposure of primary mouse peritoneal macrophages to starch glove powder caused 10% release of prostaglandin E2 (0.1 mg/ml, 16 h) but no increased release of lactate dehydrogenase, demonstrating that cell integrity had not been compromised. Long-term tissue reaction to starch glove powder was investigated in vivo by injection into mouse knee joints. Over a period of 52 weeks no inflammatory response was elicited, no starch was observed in the regional lymph nodes and none was found in joints after the 8th week. Starch glove powder appeared to be innocuous in the joint and although prostaglandin E2 release was stimulated in vitro, this had no apparent effect on joints in vivo.
Insights
Starch glove powder did not cause inflammation or tissue damage in mouse knee joints over 52 weeks. In vitro tests showed minimal prostaglandin E2 release, with no adverse effects observed in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials science
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Immunology
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding potential inflammatory responses to surgical materials.
- Starch glove powder is used in surgical settings, necessitating an evaluation of its biocompatibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo and in vitro effects of starch glove powder on tissues relevant to orthopaedic surgery.
- To determine if starch glove powder contributes to post-surgical complications.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies exposed mouse peritoneal macrophages to starch glove powder.
- In vivo studies involved injecting starch glove powder into mouse knee joints and monitoring for 52 weeks.
Main Results:
- In vitro: Starch glove powder induced a minor release of prostaglandin E2 without compromising cell integrity (lactate dehydrogenase assay).
- In vivo: No inflammatory response, no starch detected in lymph nodes, and no starch found in joints after 8 weeks.
- Long-term (52 weeks) intra-articular injection of starch glove powder was well-tolerated.
Conclusions:
- Starch glove powder demonstrated a lack of significant inflammatory or adverse tissue reactions in the murine knee joint model.
- The in vitro prostaglandin E2 release did not translate to observable negative effects in vivo, suggesting the material is innocuous in this context.