Long-term anti-inflammatory efficacy in intestinal anastomosis in mice using silver nanoparticle-coated suture

In our previous study, we coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto the surface of absorbable braided suture using layer-by-layer deposition and demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory property during the early phase of intestinal anastomosis healing in mice. The present study aimed to further investigate the long-term anti-inflammatory efficacy.

AgNP-coated suture, antibiotic coated suture, and normal suture were respectively used for single layered, interrupted intestinal anastomosis. The anastomotic segments in each group were harvested on day 14, day 21, and day 28 postoperation and investigated for the degree of inflammation by cell infiltration and expression of cytokines as well as collagen deposition.

When compared with the control groups, the AgNP-coated suture group showed better histological appearance in the intestinal anastomotic segments at each time point. Immunohistochemistry staining and quantitative evaluation further indicated less macrophage infiltration and decreased production of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α (p<0.05). Masson staining showed normal collagen deposition and remodeling at intestinal anastomotic tissue in the AgNP-coated suture group.

Our study shows that AgNP-coated suture provides better long-term anti-inflammatory efficacy and ideal tissue remodeling in intestinal anastomosis. Despite these findings, clinical trials are still needed for evaluation before medical application.