title: Assessment of reinforced poly(ethylene glycol) chitosan hydrogels as dressings in a mouse skin wound defect model.
abstract: Wound dressings of chitosan are biocompatible, biodegradable, antibacterial and hemostatic biomaterials. However, applications for chitosan are limited due to its poor mechanical properties. Here, we conducted an in vivo mouse angiogenesis study on reinforced poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-chitosan (RPC) hydrogels. RPC hydrogels were formed by cross-linking chitosan with PEGs of different molecular weights at various PEG to chitosan ratios in our previous paper. These dressings can keep the wound moist, had good gas exchange capacity, and was capable of absorbing or removing the wound exudate. We examined the ability of these RPC hydrogels and neat chitosan to heal small cuts and full-thickness skin defects on the backs of male Balb/c mice. Histological examination revealed that chitosan suppressed the infiltration of inflammatory cells and accelerated fibroblast proliferation, while PEG enhanced epithelial migration. The RPC hydrogels promoted wound healing in the small cuts and full layer wounds. The optimal RPC hydrogel had a swelling ratio of 100% and a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of about 2000 g/m(2)/day. In addition, they possess good mechanical property and appropriate degradation rates. Thus, the optimal RPC hydrogel formulation functioned effectively as a wound dressing and promoted wound healing.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei City 10617, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Szu-Hsien
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ching-Ting
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Tsao
authors.forename: Chih-Hao
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yi-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Ming-Fung
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ching-Nan
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Hung-Chia
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Chih-Kuang
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kuo-Haung
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001458:Bandages; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008954:Models, Biological; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D048271:Chitosan