Study on drug release of and biological response to UHMWPE wear debris carrying estradiol

► We prepared ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) loaded with 17β-estradiol (E2) to treat osteolysis after artificial joint replacement. ► We investigate the in vitro release of E2 and the cell biological response to UHMWPE-E2 wear debris. ► The in vitro E2 release included three stages during the release process: initial burst release, celerity release and steady release. ► The UHMWPE-E2 wear debris could promote the proliferation and ALP activity of osteoblasts and inhibit the expression of IL-6 of osteoblasts. ► The E2 in UHMWPE-E2 would play a role in the treatment of the osteolysis after artificial hip joint replacement.