Adsorption of albumin on prosthetic materials: Implication for tribological behavior

Abstract

The orthopedic prosthesis used to substitute damaged natural joints are lubricated by a pseudosynovial fluid that contains biological macromolecules with potential boundary lubrication properties. Proteins are some of those macromolecules whose role in the lubrication process is not yet completely understood. In a previous work, we investigated the influence of the presence of albumin, the major synovial protein, upon the tribological behavior of three of the most used pairs of artificial joint materials: ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) against counterfaces of alumina, CoCrMo alloy, and 316L stainless steel. Albumin was found to cause a significant decrease in the friction coefficient when the counterfaces were metallic because transfer of UHMWPE was avoided, but this effect was much weaker in the case of alumina. The objective of the present work was to look for an explanation for these differences in tribological behavior in terms of albumin adsorption. With this goal, studies on adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the counterface materials, from a biological model fluid (Hanks' balanced salt solution), were carried out using radiolabeled albumin ((125)I-BSA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The conclusion from all techniques is that the driving force for albumin adsorption is higher on the metals than on alumina. These results confirm that the greater the amount of protein adsorbed on the counterface, the more efficient is the protection against the transfer of polymeric film to the counterface.

Tribology of o/w Emulsions Under Mouth-like Conditions: Determinants of Friction

“…On the other hand, the boundary/mixed regimes are often crucial in the field of bio-lubrication, e.g., in joint and prosthetic material lubrication. [19][20][21][22][23][24] Below, we discuss some of the relevant papers from the areas of hydrodynamic emulsion lubrication and bio-lubrication, and relate them to the work presented here.…”

Friction, lubrication, and polymer transfer between UHMWPE and CoCrMo hip‐implant materials: A fluorescence microscopy study

“…12 These techniques showed the formation of a monolayer of albumin on alumina but multilayered islands of protein on the CoCrMo surface. 12 No PE transfer was observed in AFM images of the surface of CoCrMo after tribological tests when an albumin solution was used as the lubricant.…”

Microstructure and Tribological Properties of Plasma Nitriding Cast CoCrMo Alloy

“…These metal ions and wear debris, concentrated at the implant-tissue interface, may migrate through the tissue. Over time the level of metal ions may become clinically significant, resulting in implant failure, os-teolysis and allergic reactions [5,6] . There are various surface treatments which may increase the wear resistance and prevent and/or reduce the release of potentially harmful metal ions from orthopedic implant materials.…”