Hydrogel nerve conduits produced from alginate/chitosan complexes.
Nerve conduits (NCs) represent a promising alternative to conventional treatments for peripheral nerve repair. Materials for NC production should be biodegradable, possess adequate mechanical properties, and allow for exchange of nutrients. To this aim, we developed biodegradable NC made of a hydrogel that consisted of the oppositely charged polysaccharides alginate and chitosan. Swelling and permeation studies, as well as rheological measurements, served to characterize the NC. The alginate/chitosan NC showed high water uptake (84% w/w) and permitted permeation of fluorescent-labeled dextrans in a molecular weight dependent manner. The NC fulfilled the mechanical specifications without further crosslinking. The soft NC can be expected to preclude nerve compression (storage modulus of about 40 kPa), but possess sufficient mechanical strength. In combination with remarkable tear resistance, the NC affords easy surgical handling.
Pfister
Lukas A
LA
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli Strasse 10, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
Papaloïzos
Michaël
M
Merkle
Hans P
HP
Gander
Bruno
B
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy
D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020100:Hydrogels; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D048271:Chitosan