The Relationship between the Mechanism of Zinc Oxide Crystallization and Its Antimicrobial Properties for the Surface Modification of Surgical Meshes.

Marta Fiedot,Helena Teterycz,Agnieszka Lewińska,Irena Maliszewska,Patrycja Suchorska-Woźniak,Olga Rac-Rumijowska

doi:10.3390/ma10040353

Abstract

Surgical meshes were modified with zinc oxide (ZnO) using a chemical bath deposition method (CBD) at 50 °C, 70 °C, or 90 °C, in order to biologically activate them. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mass changes, and X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that at low temperatures Zn(OH)2 was formed, and that this was converted into ZnO with a temperature increase. The antimicrobial activity without light stimulation of the ZnO modified Mersilene™ meshes was related to the species of microorganism, the incubation time, and the conditions of the experiment. Generally, cocci (S. aureus, S. epidermidis) and yeast (C. albicans) were more sensitive than Gram-negative rods (E. coli). The differences in sensitivity of the studied microorganisms to ZnO were discussed. The most active sample was that obtained at 90 °C. The mechanism of antimicrobial action of ZnO was determined by various techniques, such as zeta potential analysis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, SEM studies, and measurements of Zn(II) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration. Our results confirmed that the generation of free radicals was crucial, which occurs on the surface of crystalline ZnO.

Highlights

Hernias, scleral disorders, or vaginal vault diseases are very common and are recurring conditions in children and adults, which calls for an increasing number of surgical procedures
1.0 ± 0.1 mg/L for the samples produced at 50 ◦ C, 70 ◦ C, and 90 ◦ C, respectively. These results show that the concentration of Zn(II) ions released from the meshes made at 50 ◦ C and 70 ◦ C was sufficiently high to inhibit the growth of microorganisms
That is precisely what was expected based on the literature; we have conformed these predictions by means of Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD examinations and by determining the estimated active mass

Summary

Introduction

Scleral disorders, or vaginal vault diseases are very common and are recurring conditions in children and adults, which calls for an increasing number of surgical procedures. Various methods have been applied and modified to treat this kind of disease, ranging from the simple surgery of fascia stapling, to laparoscopic techniques and modern materials, such as synthetic meshes [1]. The application of alloplastic implants has decreased the risk of the recurrence of the disease, as well as the intensity of postoperative pain [2]. One of the commonly used implants is MersileneTM, a polyester mesh. It is successfully applied in surgery because it is elastic and its special weave prevents fraying, even in the case of using only selected fragments of this material [3]. A significant disadvantage of this material is its lack of antimicrobial activity, which leads to the development of postoperative infections.

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