title: Release of glycosaminoglycans in physiological saline and water by wet-spun chitin--acid glycosaminoglycan fibers.
abstract: The present study sought to prepare novel chitin- acid glycosaminoglycan fibers that released a portion of the glycosaminoglycans in animal body fluids for use as novel biocompatible dressing materials (artificial skin) in the veterinary and clinical fields. A clear solution of sodium N-acetylchitosan salt (alkaline chitin) mixed with sodium hyaluronate, sodium heparin, sodium chondroitin 4-sulfate, sodium chondroitin 6-sulfate, or sodium dermatan sulfate in 14% aqueous NaOH was spun through a viscose-type spinneret into a 10% aqueous H(2)SO(4) solution saturated with (NH(4))(2)SO(4) at room temperature. The result was chitin fibers containing 5--33% glycosaminoglycans. In a dry state these fibers were white and had a soft feel but they were mechanically weak (0.31--0.69 g/denier tenacity and 3.1--10.6% elongation). Portions (85--97%) of the glycosaminoglycans were released from the fibers by soaking them in physiological saline or distilled water. Scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed a smooth striped surface on the original filaments, and a scaly surface appeared on the chitin filament after soaking.
authors.affiliation: Chitin/Chitosan R&D Institute, 445 Sakuradani, Tottori 680-0853, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001187:Artificial Organs; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002686:Chitin; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D012867:Skin; D012965:Sodium Chloride
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D002686:Chitin; D012965:Sodium Chloride