Preparation of Antibacterial and Antiadhesive Urinary Catheters with Robust Double-Network Gelatin-Polyacrylamide-Ag Nanoparticle Hydrogel Coatings

Urinary catheter surfaces are susceptible to bacterial contamination, contributing to catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Although hydrogel coatings have exhibited potential in preventing bacteria adhesion and biofilm, they frequently experience poor bond strength with substrates and weak mechanical properties, leading to delamination or fracture during clinical use. In this paper, we developed a robust double network gelatin-polyacrylamide (PAAm)-Ag nanoparticle (GPA-0.01) hydrogel coating on Foley-type double-lumen medical latex urinary catheters (UCs). The study revealed that the GPA-0.01 hydrogel exhibited a slow swelling ratio, strong structural stability, and excellent mechanical and rheological properties, ensuring the durability of the hydrogel-coated UCs even under harsh conditions. Furthermore, the GPA-0.01 hydrogel displayed exceptional hydrophilic and lubricating properties, along with strong adhesion to various substrates. More importantly, the GPA-0.01 hydrogel-coated UCs demonstrated significant antibacterial effects against Gram-negative Escherichia coli on both outer and lumen (inner) surfaces, as well as antiadhesion properties that could potentially reduce CAUTIs. Additionally, GPA-0.01 hydrogel-coated UCs showed excellent cytocompatibility and blood compatibility in vitro. The study proposed that the antibiofouling property was attributed to the synergistic effect of PAAm and gelatin in the hydrogel and the long-lasting antibacterial effect was linked to the gradual release of silver nanoparticles. Overall, the GPA-0.01 hydrogel coating demonstrates potential in addressing bacterial resistance and CAUTIs, with promising applications for sustained antibacterial and antibiofouling properties in biomedical devices.