Abstract
Prevention of local infection from wound pathogens such as Staphylococci and Streptococci is crucial for tissue regeneration. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an anti-oxidant amino acid derivative, has anti-microbial potential against various species. This in vitro study evaluated whether NAC prevented bacterial infection of gingival fibroblasts and osteoblasts on a scaffold. N-acetyl cysteine delayed growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes cultured in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth for 12 h in an almost dose-dependent manner (2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 m. m). The number of rat gingival fibroblasts on collagen scaffolds with bacterial co-incubation was less than 30% of that in cultures without bacterial co-incubation at day 7. However, pre-addition of NAC to the scaffold yielded a number comparable with that in culture without bacteria. Fibroblasts on the scaffold with bacterial co-incubation were small, rounded and filled with bacteria and reactive oxygen species. Pre-addition of NAC, however, resulted in fibroblasts similar to those observed in culture without bacterial co-incubation. N-acetyl cysteine completely prevented devastating suppression of alkaline-phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization in osteoblastic culture on scaffolds with bacterial co-incubation. These results indicate that NAC can functionalize a scaffold with anti-infective capabilities, thus assisting healing of soft and hard tissues.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 8474-8485 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Biomaterials |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 33 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 Nov |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Anti-oxidant
- Bone regeneration
- Multi-functionalization
- Staphylococci
- Streptococci
- Tissue-engineering
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Bioengineering
- Ceramics and Composites
- Biomaterials
- Mechanics of Materials