EN
To prevent the high frequency of wound infections,
anti-bacterial agents can be loaded onto composites.
In the present study, the antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride
(TC)was incorporated, for the first time, in collagen
type I membranes coated with nano-sized SiO2-CaOP2O5
bioactive glass (n-BG) obtained by a sol-gel chemical
route. Collagen membranes coated with n-BG were immersed
in simulated body fluid (SBF) containing 0.25, 0.75 or
1.25 mg mL−1 of TC for 48 h at 37∘C following a coprecipitation
method. The antibiotic was released in distilledwater
at 37∘C for up to 72 h. The antibacterial activity
of the composites was evaluated in vitro by the inhibition
zone test and plate count method. Two different Staphylococcus
aureus strains, S. aureus ATCC29213 and S. aureus
ATCC25923, were exposed to the biomaterials. The results
showed that the incorporation but not the release of TC
was dependent on the initial concentration of TC in SBF.
The biomaterials inhibited S. aureus growth, although the
efficacy was similar for all the concentrations. The results
allow us to conclude that the new composite could have
potential in the prevention of wound infections.