Abstract
Aliphatic polyesters such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) copolymers have been widely used as biomaterials for tissue engineering applications including: bone fixation devices, bone scaffolds, and wound dressings in orthopedics. However, biodegradable aliphatic polyesters are prone to bacterial infections due to the lack of antibacterial moieties in their macromolecular chains. In this respect, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), graphene oxide (GO) sheets and AgNPs-GO hybrids can be used as reinforcing nanofillers for aliphatic polyesters in forming antimicrobial nanocomposites. However, polymeric matrix materials immobilize nanofillers to a large extent so that they cannot penetrate bacterial membrane into cytoplasm as in the case of colloidal nanoparticles or nanosheets. Accordingly, loaded GO sheets of aliphatic polyester nanocomposites have lost their antibacterial functions such as nanoknife cutting, blanket wrapping and membrane phospholipid extraction. In contrast, AgNPs fillers of polyester nanocomposites can release silver ions for destroying bacterial cells. Thus, AgNPs fillers are more effective than loaded GO sheets of polyester nanocomposiites in inhibiting bacterial infections. Aliphatic polyester nanocomposites with AgNPs and AgNPs-GO fillers are effective to kill multi-drug resistant bacteria that cause medical device-related infections.
Highlights
Biocompatibility and antibacterial properties are the most important factors to take into consideration in designing novel biomaterials for fabricating medical devices and bone scaffolds
The development of biodegradable polymer nanocomposites with antibacterial properties is of crucial importance in clinical sector
This review is focused on more recent works concerning the incorporation of antimicrobial AgNPs and/or graphene oxide (GO) nanofillers into biodegradable aliphatic polyesters such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) and PCL
Summary
Biocompatibility and antibacterial properties are the most important factors to take into consideration in designing novel biomaterials for fabricating medical devices and bone scaffolds. The matrix materials used to form antimicrobial nanocomposite were mostly non-degradable polymers including polyester fabric, nylon, poly(methyl methacrylate), polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, epoxy, etc., and inorganic molybdenum disulphide, silicon dioxide, silicon nanowires and halloysite nanotubes. They addressed antimicrobial composites with matrices based on biodegradable chitosan, cellulose and PCL. The nanocomposite sheets show a 100% inhibition rate for P. aeruginosa adhered on stainless steel surfaces, one of the leading bacteria causing nosocomial infections [72] The additions of those nanofillers to aliphatic polyesters have led to the development of antibacterial nanocomposites for clinical applications. This article reviews the latest development, bactericidal and mechanical properties of biodegradable aliphatic polyester nanocomposites and scaffolds reinforced with AgNPs and/or GO sheets for bone tissue engineering
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