Antimicrobial biodegradable hybrid hydrogels films on biomedical devices surfaces

IRENE E. SILLE; MARIA NOEL URRUTIA; PATRICIA L. SCHILARDI

Rosario, Santa Fe

Congreso; 7ma Reunión Internacional de Ciencias Farmacéuticas (RICiFa 2023); 2023

Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR)

Surface contamination of biomedical devices due to bacterial adhesion is the first step in the development of infections [1]. To reduce the risk of infections, several approaches enabling local and time-controlled release of antimicrobial agents are under investigation. The aim of this study is to coat titanium, used in bone implants, and PVC, employed in endotracheal tubes, with a film of a biodegradable and biocompatible hydrogel, containing conventional and/or alternative antimicrobial agents.Two hydrogels were studied: one based on polyethylene glycol malate citrate (PPEGMC) [2] and the other based on chitosan and sodium β-glycerol phosphate (CS/GP) [3]. The syntheses of both hydrogels were optimized, and protocols were developed to incorporate antimicrobial agents (silver nanoparticles, AgNPs, and gentamicin). The degradation rate of bulk hydrogels was investigated over time in batch mode, by assessing the mass loss in water over one month. Subsequently, the successful functionalization of both surfaces with both hydrogels containing antimicrobial agents was achieved and the degradation of the hydrogels was tested in simulated body fluid (SBF) under continuous flow at 18 mL/h for one week. The surfaces were characterized before and after degradation using optical microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Additionally, the release of Ag+ from the hydrogels deposited on the surfaces was evaluated over the same period of time, through ICP-OES measurements.Hydrogel-modified surfaces are capable of releasing Ag into the medium, either as AgNPs or Ag(I), although in this work total Ag was measured. The silver release is due to two different copuled mechanisms: the diffusion through the hydrogel an the hydrogel degradation. In conclusion, we have designed a suitable protocol to develop AgNPs-loaded hydrogel-functionalized Ti and PVC surfaces, with potential self-sterilizing activity. These modified surfaces are a potential good strategy to inhibit biofilm formation and hence to prevent infection.REFERENCES1.Gbejuade, H. O; Acta Orthop, 86 (2), (2015) 147–1582.D. Gyawali, Biomaterials, 2010, 31, 9092–1053.Cho J.; Biomacromolecules, 6, (2005) 3267-3275.