Research on degradation and biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo of a woven chitosan fiber / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the characteristics, degradation and biocompatibility of a woven chitosan fiber (CF). Methods Scanning electron microscopic observation, deteronination of density, degree of swelling and tensile strength were performed to characterize the CF. In vitro degradation was observed by immersing CF in buffered aqueous solution of pH 6 containing lysozyme at 37 ℃, while in vivo degradation was studied after intramuscular implantation of CF in rats. Furthermore, rat mesenchymal stem cells were directly cultured on CF to estimate its toxicity. Results The diameter of CF was about 2000?63?m, with a sleek surface. The density and rate of swelling were 1.093?0.27g/cm3 and 2.30?0.21, respectively. The tensile strength was 80.18?1.56MPa. Specific viscosity, measured after the addition of lysozyme to the solution, decreased dramatically within 2 hours compared with that of the control mixture without enzyme. There was obvious inflammatory reaction after intramuscular implantation in the first week after surgery, bat inflammation subsided gradually. Biodegradation was not obvious within 4 weeks, but majority of it was absorbed in twelve weeks. Cells grew well on it with normal morphology, and no inhibition of cell proliferation could be observed. Conclusion Woven CF has a good tensile strength and fairly good biodegradation and biocompatibility, and it can be used in bone and cartilage tissue engineering.