title: Electrochemically deposited gentamicin-loaded calcium phosphate coatings for bone tissue integration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite improvements in operative environment and surgical techniques, post-operative infections remain one of the most devastating complications in total joint replacement prostheses. Several efforts have been made to modify the surface of materials in order to prevent bacterial adhesion and colonization. Here, we show a one-pot electrochemical surface modification process for co-deposition of calcium phosphate and gentamicin, with the aim of triggering specific biological responses and imparting antibacterial properties on titanium alloy prostheses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gentamicin-loaded calcium phosphate coatings were deposited on Ti specimens via cathodic polarization in an electrochemical bath containing different amounts of the antibiotic salt (1-10 mg mL-1). Coatings were evaluated in terms of chemico-physical properties, via SEM/EDX, XRD, and ICP analysis, and antibacterial activity, via agar disc diffusion test on Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4 and Staphylococcus aureus SA113.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An effective incorporation of gentamicin was achieved without any major effect on the morphology and structure. Morphology resulted in a typical plate-like brushite structure, confirmed by chemical composition and crystallographic structure. Gentamicin-loaded coatings showed an antibacterial efficacy on both staphlococcal strains, with a dose-dependent activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electrochemical technology can be advantageously exploited in order to obtain coatings for bone-contact prostheses with tailored antibacterial properties.
authors.affiliation: Giulio Natta Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan - Italy.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Altomare
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Visai
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bloise
authors.forename: Carla Renata
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Arciola
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ulivi
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Candiani
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cigada
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chiesa
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Nardo
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D052978:Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007595:Joint Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000187:drug effects*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005839:Gentamicins; C020243:calcium phosphate; D014025:Titanium