The mechanical and antibacterial properties of bone cement composites containing silver nanoparticles compounded with various chitosans

Abstract Objective: To analyse the mechanical and antibacterial properties of bone cement composites containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) compounded with chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS).Methods: Ten percent wt% AgNPs, CS-AgNPs and CMCS-AgNPs were prepared through an oxidation-reduction reaction under sonic oscillation and mix with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The compressive and bending strengths of these nanoparticles were measured before and after soaking the samples in simulated body fluid (SBF). The Kirby-Bauer (K-B) method and flask oscillation method were used to evaluate the antibacterial effects of the composites. Results:The compressive and bending strengths of the AgNP, CS-AgNP, and CMCS-AgNP groups were significantly improved (P < 0.001). After soaking in SBF, the bending strengths of the AgNP, CS-AgNP, and CMCS-AgNP groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.001). The K-B test showed only the 5 wt% and 10 wt% CMCS-AgNP groups exhibited bacteriostatic rings for Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The flask oscillation analyses revealed that the 5 wt% and 10 wt% CMCS-AgNP exhibited good bacteriostatic activity against S. aureus, but only the 10 wt% CMCS-AgNP group for MRSA.Conclusion: We developed CS/CMCS-AgNP bone cement composites, which show good mechanical properties and antibacterial activity.