The short term exposition of AgNO3 on 3T3 mouse fibroblasts cell line.

There is an increasing interest in using of silver coated (silver nitrate, silver alloy, silver oxide) catheters for hospital patients. Clinical trials with silver-coated urinary catheters have shown conflicting results. The most often performed catheterization is for a short period of time. The above observations have encouraged the authors to investigate the influence of silver nitrate (AgNO3) on 3T3 fibroblasts viability in vitro during a short time experiment (3 and 12 h). 3T3 fibroblast culture was established. The influence of AgNO3 on the viability of murine 3T3 fibroblasts with the use of trypan blue staining was evaluated. The regression curves and lethal concentrations for 90, 50 and 10% viability were calculated. The lethal concentrations of AgNO3 after 3 h exposition were as follows LC10=0.98, LC50=6.44 and LC90=21.38. The lethal concentrations of AgNO3 after 12 h exposition were as follows LC10=1.05, LC50=6.91 and LC90=22.96. The LC values were similar for 3 and 12 h exposure as well. In conclusion, the silver nitrate has the similar toxic effect on 3T3 fibroblasts during the short and long exposition. Attention should be paid when catheter has a close contact to injured urothelium even for a short period of time.