N-acetyl Cysteine Coated Gallium Particles Demonstrate High Potency against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Nosocomial infections pose serious health concerns with over 2 million reported annually in the United States. Many of these infections are associated with bacterial resistance to antibiotics and hence, alternative treatments are critically needed. The objective of this study was to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of a gallium (Ga)-based particle coated with N-Acetyl Cysteine (Ga-NAC) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Our studies showed the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of PAO1 treated with Ga-NAC was 1 µg/mL. Cytotoxicity of Ga-NAC against multiple cell lines was determined with no cytotoxicity observed up to concentrations of 2000 µg/mL (metal concentration), indicating a high therapeutic window. To elucidate potential antibacterial modes of action, Inductively Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used. The results suggest improved Ga3+ interaction with PAO1 through Ga-NAC particles. No significant change in cell membrane chemistry or roughening was detected. As cell membrane integrity remained intact, the antimicrobial mode of action was linked to cellular internalization of Ga and subsequent iron metabolic disruption. Furthermore, Ga-NAC inhibited and disrupted biofilms seen with crystal violet assay and microscopy. Our findings suggest the Ga-NAC particle can potentially be used as an alternative to antibiotics for treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.