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Biofilms as living microorganism communities are found anywhere, and for the healthcare sector, these constitute a threat and allied mechanism for health-associated or nosocomial infections. This review states the basis of biofilms and their formation. It focuses on their relevance for the biomedical sector, generalities, and the major advances in modified or new synthesized materials to prevent or control biofilm formation in biomedicine. Biofilm is conceptualized as an aggregate of cells highly communicated in an extracellular matrix, which the formation obeys to molecular and genetic basis. The biofilm offers protection to microorganisms from unfavorable environmental conditions. The most frequent genera of microorganisms forming biofilms and reported in infections are Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia spp., and Candida spp. in implants, heart valves, catheters, medical devices, and prostheses. During the last decade, biofilms have been most commonly related to health-associated infections and deaths in Europe, the United States, and Mexico. Smart, functional polymers are materials capable of responding to diverse stimuli. These represent a strategy to fight against biofilms through the modification or synthesis of new materials. Polypropylene and poly-N-isopropyl acrylamide were used enough in the literature analysis performed. Even smart polymers serve as delivery systems for other substances, such as antibiotics, for biofilm control.
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Chronic and non-healing wounds demand personalized and more effective therapies for treating complications and improving patient compliance. Concerning that, this work aims to develop a suitable chitosan-based thermo-responsive scaffold to provide 24 h controlled release of Dexketoprofen trometamol (DKT). Three formulation prototypes were developed using chitosan (F1), 2:1 chitosan: PVA (F2), and 1:1 chitosan:gelatin (F3). Compatibility tests were done by DSC, TG, and FT-IR. SEM was employed to examine the morphology of the surface and inner layers from the scaffolds. In vitro release studies were performed at 32 °C and 38 °C, and the profiles were later adjusted to different kinetic models for the best formulation. F3 showed the most controlled release of DKT at 32 °C for 24 h (77.75 ± 2.72%) and reduced the burst release in the initial 6 h (40.18 ± 1.00%). The formulation exhibited a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at 34.96 °C, and due to this phase transition, an increased release was observed at 38 °C (88.52 ± 2.07% at 12 h). The release profile for this formulation fits with Hixson-Crowell and Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic models at both temperatures. Therefore, the developed scaffold for DKT delivery performs adequate controlled release, thereby; it can potentially overcome adherence issues and complications in wound healing applications.
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The design of new polymeric systems for antimicrobial drug release focused on medical/surgical procedures is of great interest in the biomedical area due to the high prevalence of bacterial infections in patients with wounds or burns. For this reason, in this work, we present a new design of pH-sensitive hydrogels copolymerized by a graft polymerization method (gamma rays), intended for localized prophylactic release of ciprofloxacin and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for potential topical bacterial infections. The synthesized hydrogels were copolymerized from acrylic acid (AAc) and agar. Cross-linked hydrogel film formation depended on monomer concentrations and the degree of radiation used (Cobalt-60). The obtained hydrogel films were characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical testing. The swelling of the hydrogels was evidenced by the influence of their pH-sensitiveness. The hydrogel was loaded with antimicrobial agents (AgNPs or ciprofloxacin), and their related activity was evaluated. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of biocidal-loaded hydrogel was tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on in vitro conditions.
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Microencapsulation of curing agents is a major strategy for the development of self-healing polymers. Isocyanates are among the most promising compounds for the development of one-part, catalyst free, self-healing materials, but their microencapsulation is challenging due to their high reactivity. To keep the healing agent intact in the liquid state and containing free-NCO groups, the monitoring of several synthesis parameters is essential. This review aims to summarise the outcomes in the microencapsulation of isocyanates, emphasising the efforts reported in the literature to modulate the microcapsule properties. In this regard, the main synthesis procedures are presented, followed by the most relevant characterisation methods used to assess microcapsule properties. The correlation between these properties and synthesis parameters is also discussed, and finally the main potential and challenges for industrial applications are highlighted.
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Cápsulas , Isocianatos/química , Compostos de Epóxi/química , Indústrias , NanoestruturasRESUMO
Innate and adaptive immune responses lead to wound healing by regulating a complex series of events promoting cellular cross-talk. An inflammatory response is presented with its characteristic clinical symptoms: heat, pain, redness, and swelling. Some smart thermo-responsive polymers like chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alginate, and poly(ε-caprolactone) can be used to create biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds. These processed thermo-responsive biomaterials possess 3D architectures similar to human structures, providing physical support for cell growth and tissue regeneration. Furthermore, these structures are used as novel drug delivery systems. Locally heated tumors above the polymer lower the critical solution temperature and can induce its conversion into a hydrophobic form by an entropy-driven process, enhancing drug release. When the thermal stimulus is gone, drug release is reduced due to the swelling of the material. As a result, these systems can contribute to the wound healing process in accelerating tissue healing, avoiding large scar tissue, regulating the inflammatory response, and protecting from bacterial infections. This paper integrates the relevant reported contributions of bioengineered scaffolds composed of smart thermo-responsive polymers for drug delivery applications in wound healing. Therefore, we present a comprehensive review that aims to demonstrate these systems' capacity to provide spatially and temporally controlled release strategies for one or more drugs used in wound healing. In this sense, the novel manufacturing techniques of 3D printing and electrospinning are explored for the tuning of their physicochemical properties to adjust therapies according to patient convenience and reduce drug toxicity and side effects.
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Materiais Biocompatíveis/química , Preparações de Ação Retardada/administração & dosagem , Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos/métodos , Polímeros/química , Cicatrização/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Engenharia Biomédica/métodos , Bioimpressão/métodos , Preparações de Ação Retardada/farmacocinética , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Liberação Controlada de Fármacos , Temperatura Alta , Humanos , Hidrogéis/química , Interações Hidrofóbicas e Hidrofílicas , Impressão TridimensionalRESUMO
Gamma radiation has been shown particularly useful for the functionalization of surfaces with stimuli-responsive polymers. This method involves the formation of active sites (free radicals) onto the polymeric backbone as a result of the high-energy radiation exposition over the polymeric material. Thus, a microenvironment suitable for the reaction among monomer and/or polymer and the active sites is formed and then leading to propagation to form side-chain grafts. The modification of polymers using high-energy irradiation can be performed by the following methods: direct or simultaneous, pre-irradiation oxidative, and pre-irradiation. The most frequently used ones correspond to the pre-irradiation oxidative method as well as the direct one. Radiation-grafting has many advantages over other conventional methods because it does not require the use of catalyst nor additives to initiate the reaction and usually no changes on the mechanical properties with respect to the pristine polymeric matrix are observed. This chapter is focused on the synthesis of smart polymers and coatings obtained by the use of gamma radiation. In addition, the diverse applications of these materials in the biomedical area are also reported, with focus in drug delivery, sutures, and biosensors.