In Vitro and in Vivo Dissolution Behavior of a Dysprosium Lithium Borate Glass Designed for the Radiation Synovectomy Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Dysprosium lithium borate (DyLB) glass microspheres were investigated for use in the radiation synovectomy treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In vitro testing focused on weight loss and cation dissolution from glass microspheres immersed in simulated synovial fluid (SSF) at 37°C for up to 64 days. In vivo testing was performed by injecting glass microspheres into the stifle joints of Sprague-Dawley rats and monitoring the biodegradability of the microspheres and the tissue response within the joints. The DyLB microspheres reacted nonuniformly in SSF with the majority of lithium and boron being dissolved, whereas nearly all of the dysprosium (>99.7%) remained in the reacted microspheres. Because the DyLB glasses released negligible amounts of dysprosium while reacting with SSF, they are considered safe for radiation synovectomy from the standpoint of unwanted radiation release from the joint capsule. Furthermore, the DyLB microspheres fragmented, degraded, and reacted with body fluids while in the joints of rats without histologic evidence of joint damage.

Department(s)

Biological Sciences

Second Department

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Beta radiation delivery system; Biodegradable glass; Borate glass; Glass microspheres; Radiation synovectomy; Rheumatoid arthritis; Joints (anatomy); Orthopedics; Dysprosium compounds

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0021-9304

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2001 John Wiley & Sons, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 May 2002

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS