Stabilized Ortho-Silicic Acid as a Modifier of Tissue—Preliminary Comparative Biomaterial Studies

Abstract

The ortho-silicic acid (H4SiO4) plays an essential role in delivering silicon to body cells and the monomeric ortho-silicic acid is the most bioavailable source of silicon for humans. This study reveals that the ortho-silicic acid (OSA) modifies the tissue of a healthy and pathological hypotrophic amnion, thermal burn skin and, additionally, the OSA-incubated serum. Changes in the tissue modified by the ortho-silicic acid were traced on the molecular level with the use of FTIR spectroscopy. The most interesting area of tissue modification with the use of OSA acid solutions is the appearance of the 1085 cm–1 Si–O–Si band which is optimal for the 1:6000 OSA concentration. Microbiological studies aiming at anticipating anti-inflammatory and antibacterial bioactivity revealed that the skin samples and amniotic samples were characterised by good resistance to the following bacteria: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (medium growth inhibition zone: 0.5–4 mm). The present study determined the concentration and the composition of the solutions to be used in the future to create innovative modifiers (active dressings or new dietary supplements) enhancing tissue regeneration.