Preparation, characterization, and genotoxicity of Polyvinyl alcohol-single-wall carbon nanotubes (PVA/SWCNTs) nanocomposites for tissue engineering applications

Abstract

In the last decade, the synthesis and use of carbon nanotubes and their polymeric composites are increasing. However, there is no sufficient information about the safety of using single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in the biomedical field. In this study, novel polymeric nanocomposites based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and different concentrations of single-wall carbon nanotubes PVA/SWCNTs (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 wt%) have been prepared. The pro-inflammatory response and genotoxicity of these nanocomposites were tested for tissue engineering applications. Characterisation of the nanocomposites was carried out through Raman spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), dielectric and conductivity measurements in addition to tensile strength σ B and elongation at break ε B measurements. The research was expanded to look into the ability of different nanocomposite concentrations to cause oxidative stress and DNA damage in male rats’ lung tissues. The comet assay and gene expression analyses are used to assess the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative DNA damage. According to the findings, SWCNTs were distributed uniformly throughout the PVA matrix up to 1 wt% with physical interaction between them. When the SWCNT content increased, the electrical conductivity increased and the mechanical characteristics of the films were modified. In groups of rats exposed to PVA/SWCNTs 3 wt% nanocomposites, ROS production, DNA damage, and the expression levels of TNF-, p53, and CYP1A2 genes all rose significantly. The findings suggested that SWCNTs with a concentration of up to 1wt% could be a good candidate for improving physical properties of PVA and the nanocomposites could be used in neural, bone or cartilage tissue regeneration.