Synthesis of chitosan-Cu based bioactive material for coating catheters: in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation

Abstract Background: Catheters are polymeric materials frequently used in clinics and are associated with the risk of inflammation and coagulation. The development of bioactive catheter surfaces is worth applying because antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections is common. Copper (Cu) ion coordinated chitosan (Chitosan-Cu) coatings on medical catheters, and several studies have recently approved its application. Objective: It is crucial to investigate the possible cytotoxicity of Chitosan-Cu coatings on surrounding cells. Methods: The effect of the Chitosan-Cu complex coating, proven to have bioactive activities at different rates on L929 cells, was examined by the CCK-8 test kit. In 24 h, the cell viabilities of samples, with Chitosan: Cu ratios of 10:0, 10:1, 50:1, and 100:1, were measured as 105.14%, 89.90%, 91.91%, and 100.75%, respectively. In 72 h, they were measured at 119.45%, 109.33%, 110.24%, and 114.45%. The surface morphology of the coating was characterized by electron microscopy, and the entity of the Cu ions in the coating was characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Conclusion: Cytotoxicity assays showed that Cu, with a maximum concentration of 10% by volume, showed no toxic behavior.