Tissue reaction to silver nanoparticles dispersion as an alternative irrigating solution

Nanomaterials have been used to create new consumer products as well as applications for life sciences and biotechnology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tissue response to implanted polyethylene tubes filled with fibrin sponge embedded with silver nanoparticles dispersion.

Thirty rats received individually 4 polyethylene tubes filled with sponge embedded in 47 ppm, 23 ppm silver nanoparticles dispersion, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, or with no embedding as control. The observation periods were 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. After each period of time, 6 animals were killed, and the tubes and surrounding tissue were removed, fixed, and prepared to be analyzed in light microscope with glycol methacrylate embedding, 3-μm serial cutting, and hematoxylin-eosin stain. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the reactions were performed.

Both materials caused moderate reactions at 7 days. The response was similar to the control on the 15th day with 23 ppm silver nanoparticles dispersion and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and on the 30th day with 47 ppm silver nanoparticles dispersion.

It was possible to conclude that silver nanoparticles dispersion was biocompatible especially in a lower concentration.