Antibacterial releasing titanium surface using albumin nanoparticle carriers

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Titanium (Ti) implants are widely used in dentistry and orthopedics.
• Localized drug delivery systems can enhance implant functionality and prevent infections.
• Developing efficient methods for drug incorporation onto implant surfaces is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple and efficient method for localized drug delivery from titanium surfaces.
• To create antibacterial titanium implant surfaces using albumin nanoparticles loaded with chlorhexidine.
• To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of the modified titanium surface against oral bacteria.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of human serum albumin (HSA) nanoparticles loaded with chlorhexidine (CHX) via desolvation.
• Cross-linking of CHX-loaded HSA nanoparticles with glutaraldehyde (GA).
• Immobilization of positively-charged polyethylenimine (PEI)-coated nanoparticles onto negatively-charged Ti disc surfaces via electrostatic interactions.

Main Results:

• Successfully incorporated and well-dispersed PEI-coated CHX-loaded HSA nanoparticles (PEI-CHX-HSA) on Ti disc surfaces.
• Agar diffusion tests showed a significantly larger growth inhibition zone of Streptococcus mutans on treated Ti surfaces compared to controls.
• The developed platform demonstrated potent antibacterial activity, confirming efficient CHX incorporation onto Ti surfaces.

Conclusions:

• A simple and effective method for localized drug delivery from titanium surfaces was established using albumin nanoparticles.
• The PEI-CHX-HSA nanoparticle-coated Ti surface exhibits significant antibacterial properties against oral bacteria.
• This innovative approach holds promise for developing enhanced antibacterial titanium implants.