Poly(methylmethacrylate-co-dimethyl acrylamide)–silver nanocomposite prevents biofilm formation in medical devices

Abstract

Aim: To investigate whether medical devices coated with a synthesized nanocomposite of poly(methylmethacrylate-co-dimethyl acrylamide) (PMMDMA) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) could improve their antibiofilm and antimicrobial activities. We also investigated the nanocomposite’s safety. Materials & methods: The nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized using analytical techniques. Medical devices coated with the nanocomposite were evaluated for bacterial adhesion and hemolytic activity in vitro. Results: The nanocomposite formation was demonstrated with the incorporation of AgNPs into the polymer matrix. The nanocomposite proved to be nonhemolytic and significantly inhibited bacterial biofilm formation. Conclusion: The PMMDMA-AgNPs nanocomposite was more effective in preventing biofilm formation than PMMDMA alone and is a promising strategy for coating medical devices and reducing mortality due to hospital-acquired infections.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Article highlights

• Synthesis of a poly(methylmethacrylate-co-dimethylacrylamide)–silver nanoparticles (PMMDMA-AgNPs) nanocomposite was performed using Irgacure 2959 as photoinitiator and photoreducer in a single step.

• Characterization of PMMDMA-AgNPs nanocomposite was carried out by Fourier transform infrared, laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic light scattering.

• Urinary catheter molds were coated with the PMMDMA-AgNPs nanocomposite.

• Bacterial binding to uncoated urinary catheter molds and catheter molds coated with the PMMDMA-AgNPs nanocomposite was evaluated.

• The toxicity of the PMMDMA-AgNPs was evaluated through the hemolysis assay.

• Inhibition of bacterial binding to catheter molds coated with PMMDMA-AgNPs was demonstrated after 48 h of incubation with a bacteria mix.

• PMMDMA-AgNPs were not cytotoxic to human erythrocytes in culture.

• PMMDMA-AgNPs showed promise for coating medical devices as a strategy to combat hospital-acquired infections.

Keywords: :

• antiadherent effects
• antimicrobial effects
• nonhemolytic
• poly(methylmethacrylate-co-dimethyl acrylamide)
• silver nanoparticles

Supplemental material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1080/17435889.2024.2345044

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge T Ruman from Rzeszów University of Technology for collecting the LDI-MS data.

Author contributions

F Barçante Perasoli and L Bianchini Silva: investigation, data curation, methodology, formal analysis, writing – original draft, writing – review and editing. B de Carvalho Figueiredo: investigation, data curation, methodology, formal analysis. I Pinto and L Ferreira Amaro: investigation, data curation, methodology. J dos Santos Almeida Bastos: investigation, data curation, methodology. S Pinto Carneiro: data curation, writing – original draft. V de Paula Rodrigues Araújo: methodology, formal analysis. F Gomes Beato: methodology, formal analysis. A Moreira Barboza: methodology, formal analysis, funding acquisition, resources, supervision, writing – original draft. L de Medeiros Teixeira: investigation, resources, funding acquisition, supervision. S Venkateswaran, M Gallagher and M Bradley: conceptualization, investigation, data curation, methodology, formal analysis, writing – original draft, writing – review and editing. O dos Santos: conceptualization, investigation, data curation, methodology, formal analysis, writing – original draft, writing – review and editing, visualization, supervision, project administration, resources, funding acquisition.

Financial disclosure

This work was financially supported by the Brazilian agencies Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) APQ02429-22, APQ01953-22 and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human experimental investigations (ethics approval CEP/UFOP 50468521.8.0000.5150). In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Brazilian agencies Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) APQ02429-22, APQ01953-22 and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).