Histological examinations of the in vivo biocompatibility of oxycellulose implanted into rat skeletal muscle

Abstract

Background. Recently it was shown that oxycellulose suppressed bone regeneration led to an accumulation of connective tissue as well as foam cells in bone defects. Objectives. Since oxycellulose can be used as a hemostatic agent in general and dental surgery, the aim of the study was to examine muscle tissue response to implanted oxidized cellulose. Material and methods. RESO-Cell® (Resorba Wundversorgung GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany) standard was implanted in the latissimus dorsi of 20 rats; subsequently, 12 samples were processed for histological evaluation after 4 and 8 weeks. The remaining 8 samples were processed for mRNA expression analyses of gene-encoding growth factors and collagens using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results. Muscle tissue exposed to oxycellulose showed elevated mRNA levels of COL1A1 compared to untreated muscle tissue. The histological analysis revealed that no undegraded oxycellulose was detectable after as little as 4 weeks. Furthermore, a strong accumulation of CD68-positive foam cells was found in the treated area. Conclusions. In conclusion, the study has shown that oxidized cellulose can cause an inflammatory response after this material is implanted in skeletal muscle. Therefore, it is not recommended to leave this material in the body over a long period. However, it could be used as auxiliary material in the treatment of periodontal defects.