Water absorption characteristics and cytotoxic and biological evaluation of bone cements formulated with a novel activator

A novel activator, N,N,Dimethylamino 4-benzyl laurate (DML) was used in the curing of acrylic bone cements, based on poly(methylmethacrylate). The wat er absorption characteristics were studied, and the behavior was found to b e similar to commercial bone cements. The net amount of solubles were also in the same range as obtained for commercial cements cured with conventiona l activators. Biocompatibility tests mere conducted on the neat activator ( DML) and cured cements. The present study indicated that there mere no toxi c effects; furthermore, osteoblast-like cells were seen to proliferate and differentiate more readily on DML containing cements, The analysis of the e ffect of leachables from cements into the media showed continued cell proli feration and cell viability. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.