Chitosan/PVA Based Membranes Processed by Gamma Radiation as Scaffolding Materials for Skin Regeneration

Abstract

Some of the current strategies for the development of scaffolding materials capable of inducing tissue regeneration have been based on the use of polymeric biomaterials. Chitosan, in particular, due to its recognized biological activity has been used in a number of biomedical applications. Aiming the development of chitosan-based membranes with improved cell adhesion and growth properties to be used as skin scaffolds allowing functional tissue replacement, different formulations with chitosan of different molecular weight, poly (vinyl alcohol) and gelatin, were evaluated. To meet the goal of getting ready-to-use scaffolds assuring membranes’ required properties and sterilization, preparation methodology included a lyophilization procedure followed by a final gamma irradiation step. Two radiation dose values were tested. Samples were characterized by TGA, FTIR, and SEM techniques. Their hydrophilic properties, in vitro stability, and biocompatibility were also evaluated. Results show that all membranes present a sponge-type inner structure. Chitosan of low molecular weight and the introduction of gelatin are more favorable to cellular growth leading to an improvement on cells’ morphology and cytoskeletal organization, giving a good perspective to the use of these membranes as potential skin scaffolds.

Chitosan/Pluronic F127 Thermosensitive Hydrogel as an Injectable Dexamethasone Delivery Carrier

“…Figure 2 II(a) shows the spectrum of chitosan with its characteristic signals: a broad absorption pick between 3500 and 3200 cm −1 attributed to the stretching vibration of O–H and N–H as well as another more discrete signal around 2900 cm −1 associated with the stretching vibration of CH. On the other hand, signals are observed at 1653 cm −1 attributed to the stretching vibration of C═O in the amide I group and at 1560 cm −1 attributed to the N–H bending and the C–N stretching vibrations in the amide II group [ 43 , 44 , 45 ]. The spectrum of Figure 2 II(b) corresponding to pluronic shows the signals associated with the functional groups present in this polymer.…”

Chitosan-Based Membranes for Skin Wound Repair in a Dorsal Fold Chamber Rat Model

“…The membranes' preparation followed the procedure described in authors' previous works [22]. Briefly, a 2% m/v chitosan solution in aqueous acetic acid (1% v/v) was obtained by dissolution of an appropriate chitosan amount at 40 • C with stirring, followed by filtration.…”

“…In the present work, we used the commercial cell line HFFF2 (European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures, ECACC 86031405, Salisbury, UK), a Human Caucasian Fetal Foreskin Fibroblast cell line [22]. These cells are human dermal fibroblasts, thus representing a suitable cell model for this study.…”

“…The authors' previous work has demonstrated that 3D biocompatible and biodegradable chitosan-based matrices prepared by gamma irradiation display a very promising in vitro behavior for potential use as skin scaffolds [22][23][24], even when different composition and preparation methodologies were applied. Based on that, here the authors have extended the study to an in vivo evaluation using the developed and optimized preparation procedure, and the polymeric composition/content that has shown the most interesting in vitro results.…”

“…L-Chit, a non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable linear polysaccharide derived from chitin, composed of 1,4-beta-linked D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units, was the base polymer in all formulations. Herein, a brief physical-chemical characterization of the most promising chitosanbased membranes that can improve wound healing and tissue regeneration/repair is presented (characterization by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) or Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), for instance, have already been published elsewhere [22,23]), along with the membranes' in vitro behavior and in vivo effectiveness.…”