Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity of optical contact lenses based on bacterial cellulose with addition of drugs

• Grant number: 11/11810-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Mutagenesis
• Principal Investigator: Ticiana Sidorenko de Oliveira Capote
• Grantee: Ticiana Sidorenko de Oliveira Capote
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Maria Minarelli Gaspar ; Catarina Satie Takahashi ; Helio Paulo Primiano Junior ; Mauricio Cavicchioli ; Sidney José Lima Ribeiro ; Sybele Saska Specian ; Younes Messaddeq

Abstract

In the last years, biotechnology has advanced in the development of biomaterials for tissue regeneration and for their utilization as medical devices. In this context, reabsorble membranes have shown promising results in tissue regeneration that can be used in the healling of skin wounds, grafts, drug delivery systems and tissue engineering. The Institute of Chemistry at Araraquara - IQ UNESP has developed composites based on bacterial cellulose (BC) for utilization as contact lenses (patent deposited). Drugs like ciprofloxacin and sodim diclofenac were incorporated into these contact lenses to improve their therapeutic properties. However, in order to ensure the safe use of these composites by the medical device industry, it is necessary to evaluate whether they have cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic activities. This important partnership among researchers from the IQ, FOAr (Araraquara - UNESP) and University of São Paulo (USP) will evaluate cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic potential of these biomaterials. Besides cytotoxicity, it is very important to evaluate the genotoxic and mutagenic potential of these biomaterials, because, if the biomaterials provide such risks, they can induce cellular modifications in the surrounding tissue, with possible progression to tumor formation (carcinogenesis). In vitro tests will be performed to verify if the materials have cytotoxic (XTT and clonogenic survival tests), genotoxic (comet) and mutagenic (micronucleus) potentials. Statistical analysis will be used to assess whether the biomaterials are cytotoxic, genotoxic and/ or mutagenic. This information is essential for the safe release of the biomaterial in future employment in the medical device industry. (AU)