The Effects of Monomers Used in Polymeric Biomaterials on Renal Tissue

Abstract

Biomaterials are mostly polymers and are used in artificial organ production in contemporary medicine. They are prepared by the polymerization reaction of many monomers. There are many monomers used in biomaterial production. In this study, we investigated whether acrylamide (AAm), methacrylamide (MAAm), N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and acrylic acid (AAc) used in polymeric biomaterial production had histopathological effects on renal tissue. In the present study, Wistar albino rats weighing similar to 250-300 g were used. Following the intramuscular injections of 1 mL aqueous monomer solutions at 50 mg/kg concentrations, acrylamide group animals were sacrificed at 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks, the other monomer group animals were sacrificed at 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks. One mL serum physiologic were injected intramuscularly to the control group animals at the same time intervals with the experimental group animals. After histological follow-up, serial sections were prepared for evaluation under light microscope. In addition, the diameters of glomeruli and glomeruli space (Bowman's space) are measured, and the changes of the values of all groups with the exposure time were investigated. Acrylamide and its derivatives cause glomerular, arteriolar and tubule interstitial damage in the renal tissue. The narrowing glomeruli space, increasing diffuse mesangial matrix and tubular dilation was observed in some groups. In addition, dilatation, dissociation of tubular epithelium, thickening basement membranes and glycogenic vacuolization was also noted. These adverse results may be due to residual monomer. There should be no monomer residue in the polymer used as biomaterials.