Does nanocrystalline silver have a transferable effect?

This study examined the mechanism of nanocrystalline silver antiinflammatory activity, and tested nanocrystalline silver for systemic antiinflammatory effects. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy of skin treated directly with nanocrystalline silver for 24 hours showed that at skin surfaces there were significant deposits at weights corresponding to Ag, AgO, AgCl, AgNO(3), Ag(2)O, and silver clusters Ag(2-6), but silver penetration was minimal. To test for translocation of the effect, a porcine contact dermatitis model in which wounds were induced on one side of the back and then treated with nanocrystalline silver on the opposite side of the back was used.

The kinetics of thermal instability in nanocrystalline silver and the effect of heat treatment on the antibacterial activity of nanocrystalline silver dressings.

The kinetics of nanocrystalline silver dressing heat treatment was investigated via isothermal heat treatments at 90 degrees C, 100 degrees C, and 110 degrees C lasting 2-50h. Bactericidal efficacy of the dressings was measured via log reductions, while bacteriostatic longevity was determined via plate-to-plate transfer corrected zones of inhibition. Morphological evolution of the dressing was studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, while changes in heat flow were measured by differential scanning calorimetry.