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Physicochemical and immunological basis of silicone pathophysiology
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine 90024-1732, USA.
Insights
Silicones are widely used but debated biomaterials. This review argues that silicones should be considered bioactive, supported by compelling physicochemical and immunological evidence, challenging the notion of silicone inertness.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Immunology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Silicones are ubiquitous biomaterials with widespread applications.
- Their biological inertness is a subject of ongoing scientific debate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review established physicochemical and immunological phenomena related to silicones.
- To analyze human clinical phenomena linked to silicone use.
- To evaluate competing theories on silicone biological activity and the concept of silicone inertness.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of physicochemical phenomena.
- Literature review of immunological phenomena.
- Analysis of clinical data and theoretical arguments regarding silicone bioactivity.
Main Results:
- Physicochemical and immunological data suggest silicones are not inert.
- Clinical observations are consistent with bioactive material properties.
- Weaknesses in arguments for silicone inertness are identified.
Conclusions:
- From a pathophysiological standpoint, silicones are expected to be bioactive.
- Experimental physicochemical and immunological data provide compelling evidence for silicone bioactivity.
- The concept of silicone inertness is challenged by current scientific understanding.
Abstract:
Silicones, model biomaterials with almost ubiquitous applications, are the focus of a contentious debate. In this review, we will consider both established physicochemical phenomena and immunological phenomena; and then consider the human clinical phenomena that relate directly to them. We will explore the two competing theories of the biological activity of silicones, and we will discuss the weaknesses in the various arguments that silicone is inert. We conclude that from a pathophysiological perspective, silicones should be expected to be bioactive materials and that the physicochemical and immunological data at the experimental level are compelling.