Development of biocomposite polymeric systems loaded with antibacterial nanoparticles for the coating of polypropylene biomaterials

The development of a biocomposite polymeric system for the antibacterial coating of polypropylene mesh materials for hernia repair is reported. Coatings were constituted by a film of chitosan containing randomly dispersed poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with chlorhexidine or rifampicin. The chlorhexidine-loaded system exhibited a burst release during the first day reaching the release of the loaded drug in three or four days, whereas rifampicin was gradually released for at least 11 days. Both antibacterial coated meshes were highly active against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis (106 CFU/mL), displaying zones of inhibition that lasted for 7 days (chlorhexidine) or 14 days (rifampicin). Apparently, both systems inhibited bacterial growth in the surrounding environment, as well as avoided bacterial adhesion to the mesh surface. These polymeric coatings loaded with biodegradable nanoparticles containing antimicrobials effectively precluded bacterial colonization of the biomaterial. Both biocomposites showed adequate performance and thus could have potential application in the design of antimicrobial coatings for the prophylactic coating of polypropylene materials for hernia repair.The study was supported by Grants SAF2017-89481-P and MAT2017-84277-R from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Financial support from the CIBER-BBN is acknowledged. The study was supported by Grants SAF2017-89481-P and MAT2017-84277-R from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Financial support from the CIBER-BBN is acknowledged (CIBER-BBN Internal Collaborations 2018-2021: “Functionalization of polymer coatings using antimicrobial agents for prevention of mesh infection following hernia surgery” and “Polymeric nanoparticles for the treatment of bacterial diseases”).Peer reviewe