Bactericidal ZnO glass-filled thermoplastic polyurethane and polydimethyl siloxane composites to inhibit biofilm-associated infections

• Published in: Scientific reports 2019-02, Vol.9 (1), p.2762, Article 2762
• Main Authors: Cabal, Belén, Sevillano, David, Fernández-García, Elisa, Alou, Luis, Suárez, Marta, González, Natalia, Moya, José S., Torrecillas, Ramón
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 631/326/22; 692/699/255/1318; Aluminum oxide; Aluminum Oxide - chemistry; Biocompatibility; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; Biofilms; Biofilms - drug effects; Biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Blood coagulation; Boron Compounds - chemistry; Dimethylpolysiloxanes - chemistry; Erythrocytes - cytology; Erythrocytes - metabolism; Etiology; Glass - chemistry; Gram-Negative Bacteria - drug effects; Gram-Positive Bacteria - drug effects; Hemolysis - drug effects; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; multidisciplinary; Nosocomial infection; Nosocomial infections; Oxides - chemistry; Polymers; Polyurethane; Polyurethanes - chemistry; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Silicon dioxide; Silicon Dioxide - chemistry; Siloxanes; Sodium Compounds - chemistry; Staphylococcus epidermidis - physiology; Surface Properties; Tensile properties; Tensile Strength; Zinc Oxide - chemistry
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39324-w

This study investigates a novel approach to controlling biofilms of the most frequent pathogens implicated in the etiology of biomaterials-associated infections. New bactericidal filler based on a non-toxic glass, belonging to B 2 O 3 -SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 -Na 2 O-ZnO system, was used to formulate composites of the most widely used polymers in biomedical applications [i.e. thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS)], with varying percentage by weight of the bactericidal glass (5, 15, 25, 35, 50%). Glass-filled polymer composites show dramatically restricted bacterial colonisation and biofilm formation. They exhibit time- and dose-dependent killing, with maximal action at 5 days. The highest activity was found against S . epidermidis biofilm (99% of reduction), one of the most common cause of nosocomial infections. The tensile properties of the obtained glass-filled composites are comparable with the literature data concerning polymeric biomaterials for medical implants and devices. In addition, all the materials presented in this research, revealed an excellent biocompatibility. This was disclosed by cell viability values above 70%, none alteration on erythrocyte membrane or cell functionality in contact with materials (haemolytic index 0–2%), and absence of interferences in blood coagulation (intrinsic, extrinsic and final pathways).