An in vitro biological and anti-bacterial study on a sol–gel derived silver-incorporated bioglass system

Balamurugan, A.; Balossier, G.; Laurent-Maquin, D.; Pina, S.; Rebelo, A.H.S.; Faure, J.; Ferreira, J.M.F.

doi:10.1016/j.dental.2008.02.015

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Volume 24, Issue 10 , Pages 1343-1351, October 2008

An in vitro biological and anti-bacterial study on a sol–gel derived silver-incorporated bioglass system

A. Balamurugan
- Department of Ceramics and Glass Engineering, University of Aveiro, CICECO, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
G. Balossier
- INSERM ERM 0203, Laboratoire de Microscopie Electronique Analytique, Université de Reims, 21 Rue Clément Ader, 51685 Reims Cedex 2, France
D. Laurent-Maquin
- INSERM ERM 0203, 1 Rue Maréchal Juin, Université de Reims, 51096 Reims Cedex 2, France
S. Pina
- Department of Ceramics and Glass Engineering, University of Aveiro, CICECO, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
A.H.S. Rebelo
- Department of Ceramics and Glass Engineering, University of Aveiro, CICECO, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
J. Faure
- INSERM ERM 0203, Laboratoire de Microscopie Electronique Analytique, Université de Reims, 21 Rue Clément Ader, 51685 Reims Cedex 2, France
J.M.F. Ferreira
- Department of Ceramics and Glass Engineering, University of Aveiro, CICECO, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +351 234 370242; fax: +351 234 370204.

Received 11 May 2007; accepted 11 February 2008.

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and biological activity of silver-incorporated bioactive glass system SiO₂–CaO–P₂O₅–Ag₂O (AgBG). The bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties of this new quaternary glass system along with the ternary sol–gel glass system SiO₂–CaO–P₂O₅ (BG) have been studied using Escherichia coli as a test micro-organism. The AGBG system thus appears to be a promising material for dental applications, since similar effects might be produced on a film of bacteria and mucous that grows on the teeth.

Methods

The SiO₂–CaO–P₂O₅–Ag₂O and SiO₂–CaO–P₂O₅ glass systems were synthesized by the sol–gel technique and characterized for their physicho-chemical properties. The antibacterial activity and biological properties were evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Release of Ag⁺ into the culture medium was measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis.

Results

The in vitro antibacterial action of the SiO₂–CaO–P₂O₅–Ag₂O was compared with that of its ternary counterpart glass system. The concentrations of Ag-bioglass, in the range of 0.02–0.20mg of Ag-bioglass per millilitre of culture medium, were found to inhibit the growth of these bacteria. The Ag-bioglass not only acts bacteriostatically but it also elicited a rapid bactericidal action. A complete bactericidal effect was elicited in the early stages of the incubation at Ag-bioglass concentration of 20mg/ml and the ternary glass system had no effect on bacterial growth or viability. The antibacterial action of Ag-bioglass was exclusively attributed to the leaching of Ag⁺ ions from the glass matrix.

Significance

One of the major advantages of incorporating silver ions into a gel glass system is that the porous glass matrix can allow for controlled sustained delivery of the antibacterial agent to dental material, used even under anaerobic conditions such as deep in the periodontal pocket. This glass system also provides long-term action required for systems which are constantly at risk of microbial contamination.

Keywords: Sol–gel, Bacteriostatic, Silver, Biomaterial