Conclusions
The results of this study suggest that both SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids and SiO2 NPs show cytotoxic effects to SaOS-2 cells. Further investigation on the effects of SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids on the behaviors of stem cells or other regular osteoblasts should be conducted to make a full evaluation of the safety of SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids in orthopedic applications.
Methods
The effects of SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids on the cell viability and osteogenic differentiation of human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells were investigated, together with native SiO2 NPs and free gentamicin.
Results
The results of Cell Count Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay show that both SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids and native SiO2 NPs reduce cell viability of SaOS-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Regarding osteogenesis, SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids and native SiO2 NPs at the concentration range of 31.25-125 μg/mL do not influence the osteogenic differentiation capacity of SaOS-2 cells. At a high concentration (250 μg/mL), both materials induce a lower expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) but an enhanced mineralization. Free gentamicin at concentrations of 6.26 and 9.65 μg/mL does not significantly influence the cell viability and osteogenic differentiation capacity of SaOS-2 cells. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that both SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids and SiO2 NPs show cytotoxic effects to SaOS-2 cells. Further investigation on the effects of SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids on the behaviors of stem cells or other regular osteoblasts should be conducted to make a full evaluation of the safety of SiO2-gentamicin nanohybrids in orthopedic applications.