Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study was to characterize the effect of rifampin incorporation into poly(methyl methacrylate) (pMMA) bone cement. While incompatibilities between the two materials have been previously noted, we sought to identify and quantify the cause of rifampin's effects, including alterations in curing properties, mechanical strength, and residual monomer content.
Methods: Four cement groups were prepared using commercial pMMA bone cement: a control; one with 1 g of rifampin; and one each with equimolar amounts of ascorbic acid or hydroquinone relative to the amount of rifampin added. The handling properties, setting time, exothermic output, and monomer loss were measured throughout curing. The mechanical strength of each group was tested over 14 days. A radical scavenging assay was used to assess the scavenging abilities of rifampin and its individual moieties.
Results: Compared with control, the rifampin-incorporated cement had a prolonged setting time and a reduction in exothermic output during polymerization. The rifampin cement showed significantly reduced strength and was below the orthopaedic weight-bearing threshold of 70 Mpa. Based on the radical scavenging assay and strength tests, the hydroquinone structure within rifampin was identified as the polymerization inhibitor.
Conclusion: The incorporation of rifampin into pMMA bone cement interferes with the cement's radical polymerization. This interference is due to the hydroquinone moiety within rifampin. This combination alters the cement's handling and curing properties, and lowers the strength below the threshold for weight-bearing applications. Additionally, the incomplete polymerization leads to increased toxic monomer output, which discourages its use even in non-weight-bearing applications.
Recommended Citation
G. A. Funk et al., "Radical Scavenging of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Bone Cement by Rifampin and Clinically Relevant Properties of the Rifampin-Loaded Cement," Bone and Joint Research, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 81 - 89, British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery, Feb 2019.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1302/2046-3758.82.BJR-2018-0170.R2
Department(s)
Chemistry
Keywords and Phrases
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA); Radical; Rifampin; Strength
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
2046-3758
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2019 The Authors, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Publication Date
01 Feb 2019
