title: Performance modification of chitosan membranes induced by gamma irradiation.
abstract: Trauma of the nervous system often results in permanent functional loss because the spontaneous regeneration of nerves is very difficult. Thus, various methods have been developed to facilitate the restoration of damaged nerve. The biodegradable nerve conduit is one of the most promising methods for nerve regeneration. Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide that has excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, can be used as conduit material. But, nerves regenerated by nerve conduits made from chitosan have some problems, for example, with their mechanical properties. This article shows that the mechanical properties of chitosan film were markedly improved by selected doses of gamma radiation and cell culturing experiments on the surface of the irradiated chitosan film indicated that the film still has excellent biocompatibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xunhu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Mingyu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Yandao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Nanming
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xiufang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yinye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002686:Chitin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D048271:Chitosan; D005720:Gamma Rays; D008567:Membranes, Artificial
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D002686:Chitin; D048271:Chitosan