Anti-oxidation Treatment of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Components to Decrease Periprosthetic Osteolysis: Evaluation of Osteolytic and Osteogenic Properties of Wear Debris Particles in a Murine Calvaria Model

Wear debris-induced osteolysis remains the greatest limitation of long-term success for total joint replacements with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) bearings. To address oxidative degradation post-gamma irradiation, manufacturers are investigating the incorporation of antioxidants into PE resins. Similarly, larger molecular weight monomers have been developed to increase crosslinking and decrease wear debris, and ultimately osteolysis. However, the effects of modifying monomer size, crosslink density, and antioxidant incorporation on UHMWPE particle-induced osteoclastic bone resorption and coupled osteoblastic bone formation have never been tested. Here, we review the field of antioxidant-containing UHMWPE, and present an illustrative pilot study evaluating the osteolytic and osteogenic potential of wear debris generated from three chemically distinct particles (MARATHON®, XLK, and AOX™) as determined by a novel 3D micro-CT algorithm designed for the murine calvaria model. The results demonstrate an approach by which the potential osteoprotective effects of antioxidants in UHMWPE can be evaluated.