Titanium oxide nanotubes embedded with silver dioxide nanoparticles for staphylococcus aureus infections after prosthetic joint replacement in animal models

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effects of novel antibacterial coatings made from composite material titanium oxide nanotubes embedded with silver dioxide nanoparticles (Ag2O-TiO2-NTs) on staphylococcus aureus infections after artificial joint replacement in animal models Methods Eighty New Zealand rabbits were selected to construct animal models of prosthetic infections after prosthetic joint replacement The animal models were randomly divided into an experimental group and control group Animals in the experimental group were implanted with artificial joint prostheses with Ag2O-TiO2-NTs composite coatings, whereas those in the control group were implanted with common artificial joint prostheses Fifteen days after prosthetic joint replacement, staphylococcus aureus supernatant (1 mL) was injected into the affected articular cavity of the knee joint of each animal in both groups Anti-infection effects of AgO-TiO2-NTs composite coatings were evaluated These included body temperature, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), and infection rates of the prostheses Any underlying causes were also analyzed Results Measured values of body temperature, CRP, ESR, and PCT of animals in the experimental group were remarkably lower than in the control group, at different time points after bacterial inoculation (all P<0.05). Infection rates of prostheses of animals in the experimental group were also lower than the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion Artificial joint prostheses with novel antibacterial coatings, made from Ag2O-TiO2-NTs composites, can effectively relieve the inflammatory reaction in animal models and have better performance regarding anti-staphylococcus aureus infections.