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Talking point. Are free radicals involved in biodegradation of implanted polymers?
Author(s) -
Williams David F.,
Zhong Sheng P.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.19910031213
Subject(s) - radical , polymer , biocompatibility , biodegradation , materials science , degradation (telecommunications) , polymer degradation , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , composite material , chemistry , computer science , engineering , telecommunications , metallurgy
Research News/Talking Point : The role of cells and cellular products in polymer degradation is an important factor in examining the biocompatibility and performance of polymer‐based implants in surgery. Cells release many enzymes and biologically active species into their environment, a fact which makes it difficult to distinguish which released factor is dominant in any cell‐mediated degradation of implanted materials. The various possibilities are discussed and a mechanism involving free radicals proposed.