Cytotoxicity, blood compatibility and antimicrobial activity of two cyanoacrylate glues for surgical use

The biocompatibility of two cyanoacrylate surgical glues (Glubran and Glubr an 2), supplied by General Enterprise Marketing, Viareggio, Lucca, Italy, w as tested through cytotoxicity and blood compatibility tests and the evalua tion of antimicrobial activity. Cytotoxicity and blood compatibility tests were performed on the polymerized glues. Using the neutral red uptake test, the extracts from Glubran and Glubran 2 after polymerization were non-toxi c to L929 cells only when diluted 1 : 10 with culture medium. Glubran and G lubran 2 induced a significant decrease of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), which is favourable with regard to the desired haemostasis. T he APTT shortening determines a haemostatic effect and therefore contribute to the tissue adhesion induced by the glues. Otherwise, no significant var iation of prothrombin activity, fibrinogen, platelet number, total and diff erential leukocyte count was induced by the glues, which, in addition, did not show haemolytic effect. There was no difference between Glubran and Glu bran 2 regarding haemocompatibility. The antimicrobial ability of the unpol ymerized glues was tested onto Bacillus subtilis var. niger for 3 weeks: ne ither Glubran nor Glubran 2 were found effective in this respect. In conclu sion, we can assume that cytotoxicity was severe with the undiluted glues, but was acceptable when glues were diluted. On the contrary, blood compatib ility was acceptable for the intended use of the glues. No difference was f ound between Glubran and Glubran 2 after polymerization. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.