Inflammatory responses of human primary macrophages to particulate bone cements in vitro

We have investigated whether the particle-stimulated release of inflammator y cytokines from human primary macrophages in vitro was dependent upon the type of bone cement used. Particles of clinically relevant size were produc ed from Palaces R without radio-opacifier. Palacos R with BaSO4, Palacos R with ZrO2 and from CMW3 which contains BaSO4. All four preparations produce d significantly greater release of tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleuki n-6 and interleukin-l beta than a negative control but there were no signif icant differences between them. The differences in the ability to stimulate bone resorption and in clinical performance between proprietary bone cemen ts previously recorded are not explained by the release of the cytokines mo st commonly implicated in osteolysis.