BACKGROUND: Silver nanoparticles are greatly superior to traditional sliver products in terms of antibacterial effect due to small size effect, quantum effect and large specific surface area. The negative biological effect or adverse reaction in vivo remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the nano-sliver distribution in rabbits after the application of silver nanoparticle dressings on trauma.
METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (trauma wounds healed naturally), dressings for single time group and dressings for multiple times group. Both dressing groups were respectively assigned into six subgroups. Full-thickness excisional wounds were created over the ventral surface of rabbits’ ears. Rabbits in dressings for single time group were treated with silver nanoparticle dressings for single time and in dressings for multiple times group were treated with dressings for multiple times. Dressings in six subgroups of dressings for multiple times were changed respectively in 0, 2, 2 and 4, 2 and 4, 2 and 4, 2 and 4 post treatment days after injury. Blood, liver, kidney and spleen were respectively collected to determine the silver contents in 2, 4, 7, 14, 30, 60 days after injury.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The sliver contents in blood, liver, kidney and spleen of dressing groups at 2 days were significantly higher than those of normal control group (P < 0.01). The sliver contents in blood, liver, kidney and spleen of dressing groups at 4 days and were significantly higher than those of normal control group (P < 0.01). The contents in multiple dressing group were progressively increasing with time went, while the contents in single dressing group was progressively decreasing. This alteration was more obvious at 7 days, with significant differences between two dressing groups (P < 0.01). After removing the dressings, the sliver contents of dressing groups significantly declined compared with previous time point, especially in multiple dressing group (P< 0.01). At 30 and 60 days post injury, there was no significant difference in the sliver contents in blood, liver, kidney and spleen between dressing groups and normal control group (P > 0.05). After the application of silver nanoparticle dressings on trauma, it is rapidly absorbed through skin wounds into the circulatory system and then deposited into the liver, kidney and spleen. While removing the dressings, the sliver contents in blood, liver, kidney and spleen declined rapidly to the normal value without any accumulation.