In vivo catheterization study of chlorhexidine-loaded nanoparticle coated Foley urinary catheters in male New Zealand white rabbits

Foley urinary catheters were coated with chlorhexidine-loaded nanoparticles (CHX-NPs), encapsulated in the form of micelles and nanospheres. Both of nanoparticles were deposited by multilayer nanocoating through dip and spray coating on the catheter surface both inner and outer surface. In our previous studies, the nanocoating of Foley urinary catheters was studied for chlorhexidine release, degradation, antibacterial evaluation, cytotoxicity assessment, hemocompatibility, skin irritation, skin sensitization, and stability during storage. The results demonstrated the antimicrobial functions and biocompatibility of the coated catheters. In this study, coated urinary catheters were inserted in the bladders of rabbits for 7 day to investigate their efficacy. Histopathology results showed no inflammation, redness, or swelling on bladder and urethra tissues. Surface morphology comparison of uncoated catheters in the control group and coated catheters in the treatment group revealed more encrustation and crystallization on uncoated catheter than on coated catheter, indicating that catheters coated with CHX-NPs showed efficacy in delaying encrustation and bacterial colonization. These findings suggest that nanocoating of urinary catheters can potentially enhance the biocompatibility of medical devices.