Abstract

Linear and cyclic polysiloxanes and extracts (free polymer) from a silicone gel-filled implant are used to investigate the reactivity of silicones in vivo. Aqueous emulsions of polysiloxanes and controls (without polysiloxanes) are injected once (day 0, approximately 10% w/v) or six times (starting at day 0, every 14 days, approximately 3% w/v) in the right thigh of rats and the popliteal and lumbar lymph nodes are harvested (3 rats per time point and compound investigated) at 2, 16, 30, 44, 58 and 72 days after the injection. 29Si NMR spectroscopy is used to detect and evaluate the presence of polysiloxanes and their metabolites in the lymph nodes. In addition to the resonance associated with the polysiloxane injected (approximately -20 ppm), the NMR spectra of lymph nodes show new resonances that are attributed to partially hydrolyzed polysiloxanes (-5 to -15 ppm) and silica (-90 to - 120 ppm). These resonances are not present in polysiloxanes emulsions before injection or in the lymph nodes of controls. Our results demonstrate that all polysiloxanes and extracts from silicone gel-filled implants are biotransformed in the lymph nodes, but high molecular weight polymer degrades at a slower rate than oligomers.