title: Silver-containing antimicrobial membrane based on chitosan-TPP hydrogel for the treatment of wounds.
abstract: Treatment of non-healing wounds represents hitherto a severe dilemma because of their failure to heal caused by repeated tissue insults, bacteria contamination and altered physiological condition. This leads to face huge costs for the healthcare worldwide. To this end, the development of innovative biomaterials capable of preventing bacterial infection, of draining exudates and of favoring wound healing is very challenging. In this study, we exploit a novel technique based on the slow diffusion of tripolyphosphate for the preparation of macroscopic chitosan hydrogels to obtain soft pliable membranes which include antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized by a lactose-modified chitosan (Chitlac). UV-Vis and TEM analyses demonstrated the time stability and the uniform distribution of AgNPs in the gelling mixture, while swelling studies indicated the hydrophilic behavior of membrane. A thorough investigation on bactericidal properties of the material pointed out the synergistic activity of chitosan and AgNPs to reduce the growth of S. aureus, E. coli, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa strains and to break apart mature biofilms. Finally, biocompatibility assays on keratinocytes and fibroblasts did not prove any harmful effects on the viability of cells. This novel technique enables the production of bioactive membranes with great potential for the treatment of non-healing wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, 34127, Trieste, Italy, pasquale.sacco@phd.units.it.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Travan
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borgogna
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paoletti
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marsich
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011122:Polyphosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D012834:Silver; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011122:Polyphosphates; D012834:Silver; D048271:Chitosan; C005692:triphosphoric acid