COMPARISON OF BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF GEL-DERIVED BIOACTIVE CERAMICS IN MACROPHAGE CULTURE CONDITIONS

The behaviour of rat alveolar macrophages cultured in the presence of three new gel-derived ceramic biomaterials (CaO-P2O5-SiO2 system) with slightly different chemical compositions was examined. The abilities of these three materials to stimulate alveolar macrophages were compar ed. Non-treated and lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages were used a s control. The level of macrophage activation was determined by nitrit e and prostaglandin E-2 assay and respiratory burst measurement by che miluminescence. The results of these studies showed different macropha ge responses to these three relatively similar stimuli. Two of the stu died materials were shown to be potent activators of respiratory burst and prostaglandin E-2 secretion without any significant release of ni tric oxide. On the contrary, the material characterized as the most su rface reactive strongly affected only nitric oxide generation by the c ells. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.