[Chitosan inclusions in the subcutaneous space of rats: clinic, histologic and morphometric evaluation].
BACKGROUND
Chitosan is a polymer derivative from chitin applied in many medical specialties.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the biocompatibility of chitosan membranes used as inclusion material into subcutaneous of rats.


METHODS
Twenty male Wistar rats received chitosan membranes into the subcutaneous area of the dorsal medial region. The animals were randomly divided in four groups with 5 animals each, sacrificed on 7th (G1), 15th (G2), 30th (G3) and 60th (G4) postoperative day (PO). All animals were clinically evaluated daily and by photo-documentation at the sacrifice moment. The animals and the material were assessed for evidence of host response by histological and morphometric evaluation of the implants and the surrounding soft tissues. The material was fixed in 10% formalin and then the sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin.


RESULTS
None of animals presented side effects attributable to the implants. The histological evaluation showed smooth and homogeneous inclusions with no host cells inside and were encircled by a pseudocapsule of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. The morphometric evaluation showed no statistical difference between different groups (P>0.05).
Departamento de Oftalmologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
Maila Karina Mattos de
MK
Brito
Silvana Artioli
SA
Schellini
Carlos Roberto
CR
Padovani
Claudia Helena
CH
Pellizzon
Cypriano Galvão da
CG
Trindade-Neto
D000818:Animals; D048271:Chitosan; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery
D048271:Chitosan