Biocompatibility of materials used for the prevention or elimination of biofilm: evaluation of cellular metabolism

Abstract

Currently, the fungicidal treatment of infections has become difficult and costly, due to factors such as fungal resistance and drug toxicity. For this reason, studies have been conducted in our group of research in order to prevent biofilm formation on biomaterials or promote alternative therapies for the treatment of diseases arising from the installation of the biofilm. Regarding the prevention of biofilm formation, there is significant interest in developing antimicrobial biomaterials for application in health care, medicine, industry, personal care and food. In this context, the properties of thin films of TiO2 and AgTiO2 have been evaluated. In dental prostheses and medical devices, different biomaterials, including ceramics and titanium alloy, can be coated with TiO2 and AgTiO2, aiming to improve its biological properties, particularly with regard to adhesion and proliferation of micro-organisms. However, the use of nanoparticles of TiO2 and AgTiO2 as coating of biomaterials has been little explored. Thus, studies to evaluate the biocompatibility of biomaterials coated with these inorganic nanoparticles should be performed. In relation to alternative therapies, PDT has been considered a promising method for the treatment of superficial infections. This therapy could overcome the difficulties found with conventional antifungal treatments. In addition, natural photosensitizers, if effective, could help in the dissemination of PDT as a therapeutic modality for the treatment of denture stomatitis. However, there are few studies on the biocompatibility of these natural photosensitizers used. Cytotoxicity evaluation of new products should be carried out since about 40% of new drugs are not marketed drug because of side effects. Thus, this project aims to evaluate the cytotoxicity of different substances in order to make feasible the methods used for the prevention or elimination of biofilms. For this, two studies are being proposed: Study 1: Cytotoxicity of biomaterials coated with nanoparticles of TiO2 and AgTiO2 and Study 2: Cytotoxic effect of curcumin as a photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy on epithelial cells when co-culture with Candida species. (AU)