Chitosan biofilm for ocular surface reconstruction: An animal study

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectivity of Chitosan in the reconstruction of conjunctival defect created during surgical removal MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preparation of Chitosan biofilm. Chitin was isolated and purified from giant tiger prawn (Penaeous monodon) exoskeleton waste and converted to a 97 percent deacetylated form by reaction with 40 percent NaOH then dissolved in 0.1M acetic acid forming a chitosan-acetate solution. The solution was poured into a petri dish and dried forming a film. Animal Study. Conjunctival defects were induced by excising the conjunctiva (6 x 6 mm) of 32 rabbit eyes. Sixteen experimental eyes received the chitosan biofilm sutured in continuous fashion using 8-0 conjunctiva, where the previous incision was made, were harvested and sent for histopathology to look for re-epithelialization and fibroblast formation. Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Text was utilized in data analysis RESULTS: Epithelial growth was significantly higher in the Chitosan treated group as compared to the control (p0.05). Fibroblast formation was likewise significantly higher in the Chitosan treated group than in the control CONCLUSION: Chitosan is effective in promoting re-epithelialization and fibroblast formation and can thus be used as a possible alternative in ocular surface reconstruction. (Author)