Abstract
We evaluated the biological, mechanical, and surface properties of polymer nanocomposites manufactured via plastics processing, extrusion, and injection moulding. The aim of this study was to identify the interaction of fibroblasts and osteoblasts with materials intended for middle ear implants. We examined if silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) may change the mechanical parameters of the polymer nanocomposites. In our study, the biostable polymer of thermoplastic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer was used. Silver nanoparticles were applied as a modifier. We discuss surface parameters of the materials, including wettability and roughness, and evaluated the microstructure. The mechanical parameters, such as the Young’s modulus and tensile strength, were measured. Cytotoxicity tests were conducted on two cell lines: Hs680.Tr human fibroblasts and Saos-2 human osteoblasts. Cell viability, proliferation, and morphology in direct contact with nanocomposites were tested. Based on the results, the incorporated modifier was found to affect neither the number of osteoblasts nor the fibroblast cells. However, the addition of AgNPs had a relatively small effect on the cytotoxicity of the materials. A slight increase in the cytotoxicity of the test materials was observed with respect to the control, with the cytotoxicity of the materials tending to decrease after seven days for osteoblast cells, whereas it remained steady for fibroblasts. Based on optical microscope observation, the shape and morphology of the adhered cells were evaluated. After seven days of culture, fibroblasts and osteoblasts were properly shaped and evenly settled on the surface of both the pure polymer and the silver nanoparticle-modified composite. Water droplet tests demonstrated increased hydrophilicity when adding the AgNPs to ABS matrices, whereas roughness tests did not show changes in the surface topography of the investigated samples. The 0.5% by weight incorporation of AgNPs into ABS matrices did not influence the mechanical properties.
Highlights
Nanoparticle-polymer composites have potential for application as the generation of instructive biomaterials
Polymers 2018, 10, 1257 classified with regard to the level of risk posed to the human body due to their implantation according to the definitions and rules of the 93/42/EEC Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council, known as the Medical Devices Directive (MDD) [4]
The results study indicate a significant increase in the relative number of both fibroblasts and osteoblasts after 7 days of the experiment
Summary
Nanoparticle-polymer composites have potential for application as the generation of instructive biomaterials. Polymers 2018, 10, 1257 classified with regard to the level of risk posed to the human body due to their implantation according to the definitions and rules of the 93/42/EEC Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council, known as the Medical Devices Directive (MDD) [4]. This classification is simple: the higher the class, the higher the risk for the person after implantation.
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