Biocompatibility of the bacterial cellulose hydrogel in subcutaneous tissue of rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the biocompatibility and local sensibility reaction to bacterial cellulose hydrogel (0.8%) implanted in subcutaneous tissue of rabbits.


METHODS
Fifteen New Zeland rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups: T1, 7 days, T2, 21 days, and T3, 84 days. The new material was implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of the ear; on the scalp over the periosteum; and on the outer and inner surfaces of the thighs, in the aponeurosis of the muscle. At 7, 21 and 84 postoperative days, the material was collected for histological study. The clinical signs, inflammatory response, angiogenesis and fibrogenesis were variables used for analysis of the biocompatibility and biological reactivity to BCH. Analyses were performed with an AXIO(r) Imager. The statistical tests were performed using the GraphPad Prism 5.0 program(r)


RESULTS
The intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate, considering the different cell types (PMN, LMN and GC), was statistically significant, with group T1 different from groups T2 and T3 (p = 0.0124 and p <0.0001, respectively) and T2 different from the T3 group (p = 0.0007). Fibrogenesis grade 1 was the most prevalent in groups T1 (55.4%) and T2 (44.6%). The formation of neovascularization in the group was identified in 84.4% of samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Bacterial cellulose hydrogel (0.8%) is biocompatible, integrating with the subcutaneous tissue of rabbits and inducing tissue remodeling.
UFPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Pedro Celso de Castro
PC
Pita
UFPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Flávia Cristina Morone
FC
Pinto
UFPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Mariana Montenegro de Melo
MM
Lira
UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Francisco de Assis Dutra
Fde A
Melo
UNIFESP, Brazil.
Lydia Masako
LM
Ferreira
UFPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
José Lamartine de Andrade
JL
Aguiar
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D002482:Cellulose