Cytotoxicity, Inflammatory Activity, and Angiogenesis Are Induced by Different Silicone Implants

The aim of this study was to investigate cytotoxicity, inflammatory response, and angiogenesis induced by silicone gel breast implants with different textured surfaces in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro study, murine fibroblast cells (L929) were cultured for 1, 3, and 5 days with silicone membranes of three different textures: nanotextured, microtextured, and silicone foam. In the in vivo study, a total of 30 male rats (Rattus, norvegicus, albinos, Wistar) were distributed into three groups (10 animals per group), with 2 implants in each rat: nanotextured silicone gel breast implants group, microtextured silicone gel breast implants group, and silicone gel breast foam implants group. The Alamar Blue assay detected higher viability of cells cultured in the presence of nanotextured silicone surface for 1 and 3 days. The MTT assay showed higher cytotoxicity of silicone foam after 1 and 3 days of exposure. Nanotextured silicone breast implants induced a more prolonged inflammatory response, denoting a delay in the healing process and subsequent organization of the fibrous capsule as depicted by the collagen fiber types found. VEGF expression did not differ between experimental groups. Gel foam breast implants are more biocompatible when compared to micro- or nano-textured silicone breast implants.