Intrauterine devices: use of biocompatible corrosion inhibitors to reduce the burst release effect

ALVAREZ FLORENCIA; GRILLO CLAUDIA; FERNÁNDEZ LORENZO MÓNICA

Mar del Plata

Taller; 2º Taller de órganos artificiales, Biomateriales e Ingeniería de tejidos; 2011

INTEMA

Copper-intrauterine devices (IUD) base their contraception effectivity on the copper ions release (CuR). Initially, this CuR is higher (burst release, BR) than the level necessary to ensure contraception and may cause adverse effects in the users. The application of biocompatible corrosion inhibitors is a possible way to reduce this effect. The aim of this study is to assess if purine (P) and thiourea (TU) are biocompatible inhibitors and if they are able to reduce the BR effect. Firstly, the cytotoxicity of P and TU was evaluated in HeLa line cultures using neutral red and MTT as end points to analyse the lisosomal and mitochondrial activity respectively. Results showed that P y TU in the 10-7-10-3 M concentration range (higher than the maximum level that could be in contact with the cells) were not cytotoxic. Then, the electrochemical behaviour of corrosion inhibitors was evaluated by potentiostatic and potentiodynamic techniques. Results showed a better performance for P treatments after 1 h immersion time than for TU. Consequently, P could be used as a biocompatible corrosion inhibitor to reduce the BR effect