title: [Experimental study on preparing chitosan-collagen matrix and subcutaneous implantation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of the chitosan-collagen membrane (CCM) as a dermal substitute.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh bovine tendo calcaneus collagen was dispersed in 0.5 mol/L acetic acid, co-precipitated with chitosan and lyophilized. Dry membranes were cross-linked in 0.05% glutaraldehyde for 24 hours. In vitro its degrading rate was measured by use of collagenase degrading test. The chitosan-collagen membrane was implanted to subcutaneous dorsal sites of SD rats. After implantation, histocompatibility, vascularity and degradation were observed in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The chitosan-collagen membrane was yellowish, translucent, and porous. Pore size ranged 50-250 microns, and collagen fiber bundles were reticular arrangement in the membrane. It had slower degradation than pure collagen membrane by collagenase in vitro. Subcutaneous implantation test showed the minimal inflammation, good histocompatibility and earlier vascularization. The membrane degradation was slower in vivo. Eight weeks after implantation, organized collagen structure was retained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The chitosan-collagen membrane has better physical and biological properties, ideal histocompatibility, earlier vascularization and slower degradation. Therefore, It is an optimum substitute for dermal scaffold.
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Orthopedic Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China 200003.
authors.forename: Yong-sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chun-lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Shi-chu
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Zhi-guo
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000378:metabolism; D001698:Biomedical Engineering / Q000379:methods; D002417:Cattle; D002686:Chitin / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017768:Skin, Artificial
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D002686:Chitin; D003094:Collagen