Effect of surface charge and hydrophobicity of polyurethanes and silicone rubbers on L929 cells response

Wettability and zeta potential studies were performed to characterize the hydrophobicity and surface charge of virgin and oxygen plasma irradiated silicone rubbers and polyurethane (polyether and polyesther) samples and evaluate the effect of hydrophobicity and surface charge on fibroblast cells attachment and growth. The surface proper-ties of polyurethanes and silicones and plasma irradiated surfaces were compared by water drop contact angle and zeta potential measurement. Using SEM photomicrographs to study the morphology of virgin and plasma irradiated samples surfaces and light microscopy for study the behavior of cell attachment on these surfaces. Water drop contact angle measurements show that in despite of the silicones, the polyurethanes become more hydrophobic and have stable surface than silicones. Results show that wettability of plasma treated silicones increase and after 48 h recovery take place. Zeta potential measurements noticed that plasma treated polyetherurethane surface is more negatively charge, and consequently attachment of the L929 fibroblast cells decreased whereas on silicones surfaces, negatively charge surfaces show increase cells attachment. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.