Figure 6.

The effects of LMWC-AgNPs, PVP-AgNPs, and uncoated-AgNPs on the control of MRSA wound infection and wound healing in mice. (A) Fx CCD luminescent camera images of wound infection and healing following dressing with different AgNPs for the indicated days. Scale bar means 1 cm. (B) Quantitation of the topical wound healing rate. (C) After application of AgNPs for 11 days, the ALT and AST levels in the blood of mice were detected for liver function. After applying AgNPs six times over 11 days, the ALT levels in the blood of mice were detected for liver function. *P<0.05; **P<0.01. (D) Mouse liver tissues and healed skin tissue at wounded area were removed after continuous application of AgNPs, on day 14, and subjected to silver content determination by ICP-MS. *P<0.05 in liver; ^#P<0.05 in skin.

Abbreviations: LMWC-AgNPs, low molecular weight chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles; PVP-AgNPs, polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silver nanoparticles; uncoated-AgNPs, silver nanoparticles without surface stabilizer; MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; AgNPs, silver nanoparticles; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; D, day; ICP-MS, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.