Biological testing of monomers used for polymer synthesis

Biological effects of 6 monomers N-substituted (meth) acrylamides which were found to form polymers suitable for medical use (good technical qualities, good biocompatibility) were investigated. Using tests on cell cultures and on living animals (rats) considerable toxicity concerning predominantly the nervous system was ascertained in some compounds. This finding shows the importance of testing biocompatibility not only in final products, but also in initial monomers. Good correlation between the results of tests on cell cutures and experiments in the whole organism suggests the possibility of using cell cultures for screening toxicity in new monomers.