title: Histological evaluation of chitosan-based biomaterials used for the correction of critical size defects in rat's calvaria.
abstract: Chitosan, a biopolymer obtained from chitin, and its derivates, such as chitosan hydrochloride, has been reported as wound healing accelerators and as possible bone substitutes for tissue engineering, and therefore these substances could be relevant in dentistry and periodontology. The purpose of this investigation was to make a histological evaluation of chitosan and chitosan hydrochloride biomaterials (gels) used in the correction of critical size bone defects made in rat's calvaria. Bone defects of 8 mm in diameter were surgically created in the calvaria of 50 Holtzman (Rattus norvegicus) rats and filled with blood clot (control), low molecular weight chitosan, high molecular weight chitosan, low molecular weight chitosan hydrochloride, and high molecular weight chitosan hydrochloride, numbering 10 animals, divided into two experimental periods (15 and 60 days), for each biomaterial. The histological evaluation was made based on the morphology of the new-formed tissues in defect's region, and the results indicated that there was no statistical difference between the groups when the new bone formation in the entire defect's area were compared (p > 0.05) and, except in the control groups, assorted degrees of inflammation could be seen. In conclusion, chitosan and chitosan hydrochloride biomaterials used in this study were not able to promote new bone formation in critical size defects made in rat's calvaria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Araraquara Dental School, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil. elciojr@foar.unesp.br
authors.forename: Rubens
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spin-Neto
authors.forename: Rubens Moreno
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: de Freitas
authors.forename: Chaíne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pavone
authors.forename: Márcia Barreto
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Sérgio Paulo
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Campana-Filho
authors.forename: Rosemary Adriana Chiérici
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Marcantonio
authors.forename: Elcio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marcantonio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012886:Skull / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D048271:Chitosan