Evaluation of antibacterial and cytocompatible properties of multiple-ion releasing zinc-fluoride glass nanoparticles.

Zinc-fluoride glass nanoparticles (Zinc-F) release several ions, such as fluoride, zinc and calcium ions, through acid-base reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of Zinc-F. Antibacterial tests showed that a Zinc-F eluting solution significantly reduced the turbidity and colony-forming units of Streptococcus mutans and Actinomyces naeslundii, compared to that of calcium-fluoroaluminosilicate glass nanoparticles without zinc ions. In live/dead staining, Zinc-F eluate significantly decreased green-stained bacterial cells, indicating live cells, compared with the control (no application). Human dentin coated with Zinc-F showed suppressed S. mutans and A. naeslundii biofilm formation. Additionally, Zinc-F eluate showed low cytotoxic effects in osteoblastic and fibroblastic cells. Therefore, our findings suggested that Zinc-F exhibits antibacterial and biocompatible properties through multiple-ion release.