ANALYSIS OF THE LEACHING AND TOXICITY OF NEW AMINE ACTIVATORS FOR THECURING OF ACRYLIC BONE CEMENTS AND COMPOSITES

The comparative reactivity of new tertiary amine activators with the b asic chemical structure of N,N-dimethyl-4-toluidine, but reduced toxic ity, is analysed. The leaching of the amine compounds from cured cemen ts was studied by analysis of the concentration of the corresponding a mine in a physiological saline solution after 3 months of immersion, g iving lower values for the new amine compounds as compared to N,N-dime thyl-4-toluidine. The acute toxicity was determined by intravenous inj ection of saline solutions of the corresponding chlorhydrates in mice and the cytotoxicity by the evolution of specific culture media. The r esults obtained demonstrate a lower acute toxicity and cytotoxicity of the new activators, even with a noticeable antiseptic action, which m akes these materials very interesting from a practical point of view a s activators of the curing process of acrylic bone cements for orthopa edic surgery and dentistry. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited