[Biocompatibility of a new ionomer bone cement in endoprosthetics. In vitro testing using a mixed bone cell culture]

Periosteal derived bovine osteoblasts and osteoclasts migrated in culture onto an ionomeric cement, currently evaluated as a cement for orthopaedic implants. Cell cultures were maintained for 4 weeks and used to study the in-vitro behaviour of cells on the material surface. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts colonized the substrate in monolayers and exhibited their phenotypic morphology. Differentiation into both cell lines were demonstrated by immunostaining. Staining for aluminium in cells growing on the bone cement showed an uptake and storage of aluminium in the cells. EDAX-microanalysis revealed high concentrations of Al and Si in the periosteal tissue. Despite uptake of Al in the cells, signs of toxicity were not apparent in the cell culture system.