Study on PTFE Superhydrophobic Coating Modified by IC@dMSNs and its Enhanced Antibacterial Effect

Abstract

Objective: Vascular catheter-related infections and thrombosis are common and may lead to serious complications after catheterization. Reducing the incidence of such infections has become a significant challenge. This study aims to develop a super hydrophobic nanocomposite drug-loaded vascular catheter that can effectively resist bacterial infections and blood coagulation. Methods: In this study, a SiO2 nanocoated PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) catheter (PTFE-SiO2) was prepared and further optimized to prepare a SiO2 nanocoated PTFE catheter loaded with imipenem/cilastatin sodium (PTFE-IC@dMSNs). The catheters were characterized for performance, cell compatibility, anticoagulant performance, in vitro and in vivo antibacterial effect and biological safety. Result: PTFE-IC@dMSNs catheter has efficient drug loading performance and drug release rate and has good cell compatibility and anticoagulant effect in vitro. Compared with the PTFE-SiO2 catheter, the inhibition ring of the PTFE-IC@dMSNs catheter against Escherichia coli increased from 3.985 mm2 to 4.561 mm2, and the antibacterial rate increased from about 50.8% to 56.9%, with significant difference (p<0.05). The antibacterial zone against Staphylococcus aureus increased from 8.633 mm2 to 11.735 mm2, and the antibacterial rate increased from approximately 83.5% to 89.3%, showing a significant difference (p<0.05). PTFE-IC@dMSNs catheter also has good biocompatibility in vivo. Conclusion: Compared with PTFE, PTFE-SiO2 and PTFE-IC@dMSNs catheters have good characterization performance, cell compatibility, and anticoagulant properties. PTFE SiO2 and PTFE-IC@dMSNs catheters have good antibacterial performance and tissue safety against E. coli and S. aureus. Relatively, PTFE-SiO2 and PTFE-IC@dMSNs catheter has better antibacterial properties and histocompatibility and has potential application prospects in anti-bacterial catheter development and anticoagulation.