PhD Scientific Days 2024

Poster Session H - Theoretical and Translational Medicine 1.

Development of Electrospun Polymer Matrices Containing Metal Nanoparticles for Antibacterial Wound Dressings

Text of the abstract

Introduction: Nowadays combating multidrug-resistant bacteria is a major challenge, particularly in the treatment of large area and slow-healing wounds like diabetic ulcers. As commercially available traditional antibiotics are not effective against such microorganisms, other types of antimicrobials are necessary. [1] [2] Metal oxide nanoparticles (MeNPs) are promising candidates because of their significant antibacterial activity, coupled with lower susceptibility to resistance development. [3]

Aims: The aim of this research is to create a wound dressing by incorporating MeNPs into a biocompatible and bidegradable polymer matrix prepared by electrospinning.

Methods: First, polysuccinimide was synthethised and oleic acid modified magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) were dispersed in the polymer solution, followed by ultrasound agitation. Then ZnONPs were synthethised in dimethyl sulfoxide, which was followed by a concentrating method (optimizing the precursors, reaction parameters and centrifugation), then dispersed it in the polymer solution. The NPs synthesis was prooved with DLS nad UV-VIS measurements. In both cases electrospinning was used for fiber formation. The mesh was characterized by SEM and FTIR.

Results: In our research, we synthesized MNPs, ZnONPs and polysuccinimide (PSI). DLS experiments confirmed that the hydrodynamic diameter is approximately 200 nm of the ZnONPs. The presence of NPs was proved by UV-Vis. ZnONP solution was successfully concentrated by centrifugation. MNP solution was stabilized with oleic acid, and dispersed by ultrasonic bath in the polymer solution. Succesful fiber formation by electrospinning was proved by SEM images. FTIR spectra of precursors, intermediates and final products was recorded.

Conclusion: Both NPs were successfully dispersed in the polymer solution, and PSI-based fibrous matrices were created. These materials can be potentially used to treat multidrug-resistant bacteria on open wounds. In the next phase of our research, we plan to perform antibacterial assays and cytotoxicity assays. We plan to further characterise the wound dressing using TEM and SAXS.

References:
[1] C. Liao et al. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 20 (2019). 1-47.
[2] N. Naderi et al. Front. Biosci. - Landmark. 23 (2018) 1038–1059.
[3] L. Wang et al. Int. J. Nanomedicine. 12 (2017) 1227–1249.

Funding: NKFIH FK 137749; TKP2021-EGA-23