Bioactive glasses as delivery systems for antimicrobial agents.

Most biomaterial-associated infections are caused by opportunistic pathogens and bacteria that are regularly found within the microflora of the implant site. In addition, a biomaterial implant or device remains at risk of infection by hematogenous spread of bacteria disseminated from infections elsewhere in the body or from infected peri-implant tissue in revision surgery. The resulting infections are frequently accompanied by patient morbidity and discomfort and can lead to surgical replacement of the implant after lengthy, unsuccessful attempts to mitigate infections with antibiotic treatments. Therefore, extensive study is aiming to find new infection-resistant antimicrobial biomaterials and coatings for implants and devices to effectively reduce the incidence of biomaterial-associated infections. An overview of the in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial efficacies of the numerous biomaterials currently available is beyond the scope of this review. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of bioactive glasses as biomaterial delivery systems for antimicrobial agents.

Evaluation of antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of nano-sized bioactive glass/collagen composites releasing tetracycline hydrochloride.

AIMS: To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of silicate bioactive glass nanoparticles/collagen composites functionalized with tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). METHODS AND RESULTS: Different concentrations of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) were incorporated on silicate bioactive glass nanoparticles/collagen composites by dipping these biomaterials for 48 h at 37°C in a solution of simulated body fluid (SBF) plus 0·05, 0·20 or 0·35 mg ml(-1) of the antibiotic. TCH release was assessed in double-distilled water at 37°C up to 72 h. The antibacterial activity of the samples has been evaluated in two ways: inhibition zone test and plate count method. The experiments were performed in vitro up to 48 h on four staphylococci strains (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213, ATCC25923, ATCC6538P and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC12228). The new composites were also tested for cytotoxicity on MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. The results showed that the incorporation and release of TCH was dependent on the initial concentration of TCH in SBF. The biomaterials also inhibited the Staph. aureus cell growth even though the efficacy was similar for all concentration. On the other hand, no cytotoxic effects were found on osteoblast-like cells, even at the highest concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Considering all results, it can be concluded that the new composite acts as a suitable bioactive carrier of TCH and could have potential in the prevention of biomaterial related infections. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results suggest a potential application as wound dressing.

In vitro antistaphylococcal effects of a novel 45S5 bioglass/agar-gelatin biocomposite films.

AIMS: To assess the antibacterial efficacy of new composite materials developed from microparticles of 45S5 bioactive glass (BG) and agar-gelatin films. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus spp. because of the importance of this pathogen in damaged tissues and in failures associated with biomaterial implants. To our knowledge, this is the first paper reporting on the suitable combination of BG and agar-gelatin for bioactive and antibacterial films. Bacterial suspensions up or below 10(5) CFU ml(-1) reflecting situations of wound infection and of noninfection, respectively, were prepared and then put in contact with the biomaterials at 37°C. After 24 and 48 h of incubation, the pH value was measured and the staphylococci strains viability was determined by counting in Mueller-Hinton agar plates. Moreover, the biomaterials were prepared for observation under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Biocomposites (BCs) showed a strong antibacterial effect against all staphylococci strains tested. Some differences were found depending on the strain, the inoculum size and the contact time. This effect was correlated with an alkalinization of the media. By SEM analyses, no bacterial presence was observed on the surface of BCs in any of the cell concentrations tested at any time. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the coating of 45S5 BG on agar-gelatin films promoted BCs with strong antistaphylococcal activity. The effect was efficient under bacterial concentration up or below 10(5) CFU ml(-1). Additionally, none of the strains were found on BCs surfaces. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: 45S5 bioglass/agar-gelatin biocomposite films are reported for the first time. The results suggest a potential application as wound dressing.

Histomorphometric study of peri-implant bone healing in the case of nerve injury: an experimental model in rats.

Causes of dental implant failure are of more than passing interest. Within the group of failures caused by iatrogenic factors, injury to the epineurium has been reported to cause the formation of peri-implant fibrous tissue (fibrointegration). The aim of this study was to perform a histomorphometric evaluation of the percentage of osseointegration of implants in contact with the epineurium. Twenty Wistar rats were used. The first lower molars were extracted under xylazine-ketamine anesthesia. A titanium screw implant (diameter, 0.75 mm; length, 2.26 mm) was placed. In the control group (n = 10), apical anchorage of the implant was performed. In the experimental group (n = 10), the apical portion of the implant was placed in contact with the epineurium of the lower mandibular nerve. All animals were killed by ether overdose 30 days after implantation. Radiographs were taken, and the samples were processed for embedding in acrylic resin. Ground sections were obtained along the vestibulo-lingual axis of the mesial alveolus that contained the implant and were stained with toluidine blue. The histologic analysis revealed the presence of bone tissue in the apical portion of the control group samples. In the experimental group, the implant was in contact with the epineurium. There were no statistically significant differences in the percentage of osseointegration between both groups (control group, 39% +/- 9%; experimental group, 38% +/- 10%). The results obtained with this experimental model show that the contact of the implant with the epineurium would not impair the process of osseointegration.

Bone healing under experimental anemia in rats.

The effects of anemia on different physiological parameters have been the object of permanent study. There are no studies in the literature on the effects of this disorder on the process on bone healing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, histologically and histomorphometrically, the process of osteogenesis in the post-extraction alvcolus of the lower molar, and in the peri-implant environment of rats. Twenty male Wistar rats (body weight (b.w.): 60 +/- 7 g) were grouped into two experimental sets. The control group (n:10) was given 0.5 mL saline solution i.p. The anemic group (n:10) was injected with 6 mg/100 g of b.w. or 3 mg/100 g b.w. phenylhidrazine, a well known hemolytic agent. Under ketamine-xylazine anesthesia the rats were submitted to extraction of the first lower molars, and to implantation in the tibia in keeping with the "laminar test" procedure. Other parameters, i.e. body weight (b.w.), food intake (FI), hematocrit (Htc), and hemoglobinemia (Hb) were monitored every 48 hs. The results showed a reduction in b.w., FI, Htc and Hb in the experimental group. The histological and histomorphometrical data show that the condition of anemia affects osteogenesis quali-quantitatively in the post-extraction alveolus and peri-implant microenvironment. Both bone reparative situations showed that ostegenesis is "sensitive" to anemia and/or the associated conditions, causing a delay in bone healing.

Bone healing under experimental anemia in rats

The effects of anemia on different physiological parameters have been the object of permanent study. There are no studies in the literature on the effects of this disorder on the process on bone healing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, histologically and histomorphometrically, the process of osteogenesis in the post-extraction alvcolus of the lower molar, and in the peri-implant environment of rats. Twenty male Wistar rats (body weight (b.w.): 60 +/- 7 g) were grouped into two experimental sets. The control group (n:10) was given 0.5 mL saline solution i.p. The anemic group (n:10) was injected with 6 mg/100 g of b.w. or 3 mg/100 g b.w. phenylhidrazine, a well known hemolytic agent. Under ketamine-xylazine anesthesia the rats were submitted to extraction of the first lower molars, and to implantation in the tibia in keeping with the [quot ]laminar test[quot ] procedure. Other parameters, i.e. body weight (b.w.), food intake (FI), hematocrit (Htc), and hemoglobinemia (Hb) were monitored every 48 hs. The results showed a reduction in b.w., FI, Htc and Hb in the experimental group. The histological and histomorphometrical data show that the condition of anemia affects osteogenesis quali-quantitatively in the post-extraction alveolus and peri-implant microenvironment. Both bone reparative situations showed that ostegenesis is [quot ]sensitive[quot ] to anemia and/or the associated conditions, causing a delay in bone healing.

Bone healing under experimental anemia in rats.

The effects of anemia on different physiological parameters have been the object of permanent study. There are no studies in the literature on the effects of this disorder on the process on bone healing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, histologically and histomorphometrically, the process of osteogenesis in the post-extraction alvcolus of the lower molar, and in the peri-implant environment of rats. Twenty male Wistar rats (body weight (b.w.): 60 +/- 7 g) were grouped into two experimental sets. The control group (n:10) was given 0.5 mL saline solution i.p. The anemic group (n:10) was injected with 6 mg/100 g of b.w. or 3 mg/100 g b.w. phenylhidrazine, a well known hemolytic agent. Under ketamine-xylazine anesthesia the rats were submitted to extraction of the first lower molars, and to implantation in the tibia in keeping with the [quot ]laminar test[quot ] procedure. Other parameters, i.e. body weight (b.w.), food intake (FI), hematocrit (Htc), and hemoglobinemia (Hb) were monitored every 48 hs. The results showed a reduction in b.w., FI, Htc and Hb in the experimental group. The histological and histomorphometrical data show that the condition of anemia affects osteogenesis quali-quantitatively in the post-extraction alveolus and peri-implant microenvironment. Both bone reparative situations showed that ostegenesis is [quot ]sensitive[quot ] to anemia and/or the associated conditions, causing a delay in bone healing.