Wear
debris generate
d by ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) use
d in joint replacement
devices has been of concern
due to re
ductions of the implant longevity. Col
d atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been use
d to improve the wear performance of UHMWPE. Our aim was to investigate the elastic an
d a
dhesive properties of rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs), through AFM, after exposure to UHMWPE wear
debris pre- an
d post-CAP treatment. The results in
dicate
d that the main changes in cell elasticity an
d spring constant of MSC expose
d to wear particles occurre
d in the first 24 h of contact an
d the particle concentration from 0.5 to 50 mg/l
di
d not play a significant role. For UHMWPE treate
d for 7.5 min, with progression of the wear simulation the results of the CAP treate
d samples were getting closer to the result of untreate
d samples; while with longer CAP treatment this was not observe
d.
d="absSec_2">From the Clinical Editor
d="sp1000">Joint replacements are now common clinical practice. However, the use of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) still poses a concern, due to the presence of wear debris. The authors here investigated the effects of wear debris after cold atmospheric plasma treatment on rat mesenchymal stem cells. The positive results provided new strategies in future design of joint replacement materials.