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Preventing Staphylococci Surgical Site Infections with a Nitric Oxide-Releasing Poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid)
Lauren Griffin1, Mark Richard Stephen Garren1, Patrick Maffe1
1School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States.
Abstract:
Of the 27 million surgeries performed in the United States each year, a reported 2.6% result in a surgical site infection (SSI), and Staphylococci species are commonly the culprit. Alternative therapies, such as nitric oxide (NO)-releasing biomaterials, are being developed to address this issue. NO is a potent antimicrobial agent with several modes of action, including oxidative and nitrosative damage, disruption of bacterial membranes, and dispersion of biofilms. For targeted antibacterial effects, NO is delivered by exogenous donor molecules, like S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). Herein, the impregnation of SNAP into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) for SSI prevention is reported for the first time. The NO-releasing PLGA copolymer is fabricated and characterized by donor molecule loading, leaching, and the amount remaining after ethylene oxide sterilization. The swelling ratio, water uptake, static water contact angle, and tensile strength are also investigated. Furthermore, its cytocompatibility is tested against 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells, and its antimicrobial efficacy is assessed against multiple Staphylococci strains. Overall, the NO-releasing PLGA copolymer holds promise as a suture material for eradicating surgical site infections caused by Staphylococci strains. SNAP impregnation affords robust antibacterial properties while maintaining the cytocompatibility and mechanical integrity.
Insights
This study introduces a novel nitric oxide (NO)-releasing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) copolymer for preventing surgical site infections (SSIs). The material effectively combats Staphylococci while maintaining cytocompatibility and mechanical integrity.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Disease Research
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Surgical site infections (SSIs) affect 2.6% of 27 million US surgeries annually, often caused by Staphylococci.
- Nitric oxide (NO) exhibits potent antimicrobial properties, including membrane disruption and biofilm dispersion.
- Exogenous NO donors, such as S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), enable targeted antibacterial effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel nitric oxide (NO)-releasing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) copolymer for surgical site infection (SSI) prevention.
- To evaluate the material's properties, including donor molecule loading, release kinetics, and mechanical integrity.
- To assess the cytocompatibility and antimicrobial efficacy of the NO-releasing PLGA copolymer against Staphylococci strains.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of SNAP-impregnated PLGA copolymer.
- Characterization of NO release, donor loading, and post-sterilization NO retention.
- Assessment of physical properties: swelling ratio, water uptake, contact angle, and tensile strength.
- In vitro evaluation of cytocompatibility using 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells.
- Antimicrobial efficacy testing against various Staphylococci strains.
Main Results:
- The NO-releasing PLGA copolymer was successfully fabricated and characterized.
- Material properties, including mechanical integrity and cytocompatibility, were maintained.
- Effective eradication of multiple Staphylococci strains was demonstrated.
- SNAP impregnation provided robust antibacterial activity.
Conclusions:
- The NO-releasing PLGA copolymer shows significant promise as an innovative suture material for preventing Staphylococci-induced surgical site infections.
- This novel biomaterial offers a targeted approach to combatting SSIs by leveraging the antimicrobial power of nitric oxide.
- The combination of antibacterial efficacy, cytocompatibility, and mechanical integrity positions this material for further development in surgical applications.
