Synergistic antibacterial effects of localized heat and oxidative stress caused by hydroxyl radicals mediated by graphene/iron oxide-based nanocomposites

Wen Yu Pan, Chieh Cheng Huang, Tzu Tsen Lin, Hsin Yi Hu, Wei Chih Lin, Meng Ju Li, Hsing Wen Sung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

101 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This work develops a composite system of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-iron oxide nanoparticles (rGO-IONP) that can synergistically induce physical and chemical damage to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that are present in subcutaneous abscesses. rGO-IONP was synthesized by the chemical deposition of Fe2+/Fe3+ ions on nanosheets of rGO in aqueous ammonia. The antibacterial efficacy of the as-prepared rGO-IONP was evaluated in a mouse model with MRSA-infected subcutaneous abscesses. Upon exposure to a near-infrared laser in vitro, rGO-IONP synergistically generated localized heat and large amounts of hydroxyl radicals, which inactivated MRSA. The in vivo results reveal that combined treatment with localized heat and oxidative stress that is caused by hydroxyl radicals accelerated the healing of wounds associated with MRSA-infected abscesses. The above results demonstrate that an rGO-IONP nanocomposite system that can effectively inactivate multiple-drug-resistant bacteria in subcutaneous infections was successfully developed. From the Clinical Editor: The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has posed a significant problem in the clinical setting. Thus, it is imperative to develop new treatment strategies against this. In this study, the authors described the use of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-iron oxide nanoparticles (rGO-IONP) to induce heat and chemical damage to MRSA. This approach may provide a platform the design of other treatment modalities against multiple-drug-resistant bacteria.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)431-438
Number of pages8
JournalNanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 1 2016

Keywords

  • Fenton reaction
  • Hyperthermia
  • Multiple-drug-resistant bacteria
  • Oxidative stress
  • Photothermal therapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Materials Science(all)
  • Pharmaceutical Science

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