Bacterial adhesion to poly-(d,l)lactic acid blended with vitamin E: Toward gentle anti-infective biomaterials

Abstract

Anti-infective properties of biomedical materials are often achieved by loading or coating them with powerful bactericides. Undesirably, these bioactive molecules can damage the host cells at the biomaterial-tissues interface and, sometimes, even determine systemic toxic effects. The search for biomaterials able to actively resist infection while displaying a safe cytocompatibility profile toward eukaryotic cells is being progressively developed. Poly-(D,L)lactic acid (PLA) is a broadly used resorbable material with established biocompatibility properties. The dissolving surfaces of a biodegradable material tend to be per se elusive for bacteria. Here, films of pristine PLA, of PLA blended with vitamin E (VitE) and PLA blended with vitamin E acetate (VitE ac) were challenged in vitro with the biofilm-producers Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923. The bacterial adhesion properties of the different materials were investigated on small film disc specimens by a method based on microtiter plates. Adherent bacteria were quantified by both CFU plating and bioluminescence. Significant decrease in bacterial adhesion and biofilm accumulation was found on the surface of both the enriched polymers. These findings, together with the favorable intrinsic properties of PLA and the desirable bioactivities conferred by VitE, point up the VitE-blended PLA polymers as gentle anti-infective biomaterials.

Sharply Reduced Biofilm Formation from Cobetia marina and in Black Sea Water on Modified Siloxane Coatings

“…It was demonstrated that the inclusion of tocopherol in PE significantly decreased the adhesion ability of St. epidermidis, St. aureus, and E. coli. A similar anti-biofilm action of tocopherol against St. epidermidis and St. aureus has also been observed when it is included in polylactic acid [32]. Although there is a generally accepted lack of antibacterial activity of tocopherol, some studies have demonstrated such activity against St. epidermidis, St. aureus, E. coli, and Ps.…”

α‐tocopherol decreases interleukin‐1β and ‐6 and increases human β‐defensin‐1 and ‐2 secretion in human gingival fibroblasts stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide

“…Using an animal model, it was demonstrated that vitamin E could play a key role in enhancing host protection against Heligmosomoides polygyrus . Vitamin E was also shown to decrease bacterial adhesion and biofilm accumulation on the surface of vitamin E‐blended polymers . These data highlight the potential of vitamin E against periodontal bacteria and such virulence factors as LPS.…”

Innate Immune Response in Implant-Associated Infections: Neutrophils against Biofilms

“…Intrinsically bioactive materials or doped/blended/coated biomaterials with antibacterial substances are being progressively developed and optimized, as the new generation of gently anti-infective biomaterials , i.e. , materials that, besides being safe for eukaryotic cells and anti-infective towards bacteria, are also endowed with anti-inflammatory potential or other beneficial biological properties [88,89]. For the orthopaedic implants, the anti-infective materials should be designed to be able to oppose bacterial colonization and, at the same time, to support tissue repair [9].…”