Effects of electrospun scaffolds of di-O-butyrylchitin and poly-(ε-caprolactone) on wound healing.
BACKGROUND
We sought to determine the usefulness of electrospun dibutyrylchitin (DBC) or poly-(ε-caprolactone [PCL]), in wound treatment. We investigated the mechanisms of action of these polymers on wound healing.


METHODS
We synthesized DBC, a newly identified ester derivative of chitin, using a patented method comprising the substitution of butyryl groups at positions C-3 and C-6 in chitin molecules. We confirmed the double substitution by the butyric groups using infrared spectrometry. The fibrous scaffolds were obtained using the electrospinning method. A polypropylene net was implanted subcutaneously in the rat and served as a wound model.


RESULTS
Both DBC and PCL increased granulation tissue weight in the wound. In contrast to PCL, DBC did not abolish glycosaminoglycan changes in wounds. The tested samples did not impair total collagen synthesis or induce excessive fibrosis. In both PCL- and DBC-treated wounds, we observed a lower level of soluble collagen (compared with controls). The results show better hydration of the wounds in both the DBC and PCL groups. No induction of large edema formation by the tested materials was observed. These polymers induced almost identical macrophage-mediated reactions to foreign-body implantation. The implants increased the blood vessel number in a wound.


CONCLUSIONS
Both PCL and DBC could be used as scaffolds or dressings for wound treatment. The materials were safe and well tolerated by animals. As DBC did not disturb glycosaminoglycan accumulation in wounds and absorbed twice as much liquid as PCL, it can be considered superior.
From the Laboratory of Connective Tissue Metabolism, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Drobnik, Szczepanowska); the Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile Metrology, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland (Krucinska, Komisarczyk); the Department of Dental Pathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Sporny); and the Department of Neuropeptides Research, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Ciosek); .
Jacek
J
Drobnik
From the Laboratory of Connective Tissue Metabolism, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Drobnik, Szczepanowska); the Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile Metrology, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland (Krucinska, Komisarczyk); the Department of Dental Pathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Sporny); and the Department of Neuropeptides Research, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Ciosek); .
Izabella
I
Krucinska
From the Laboratory of Connective Tissue Metabolism, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Drobnik, Szczepanowska); the Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile Metrology, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland (Krucinska, Komisarczyk); the Department of Dental Pathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Sporny); and the Department of Neuropeptides Research, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Ciosek); .
Agnieszka
A
Komisarczyk
From the Laboratory of Connective Tissue Metabolism, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Drobnik, Szczepanowska); the Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile Metrology, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland (Krucinska, Komisarczyk); the Department of Dental Pathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Sporny); and the Department of Neuropeptides Research, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Ciosek); .
Stanislaw
S
Sporny
From the Laboratory of Connective Tissue Metabolism, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Drobnik, Szczepanowska); the Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile Metrology, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland (Krucinska, Komisarczyk); the Department of Dental Pathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Sporny); and the Department of Neuropeptides Research, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Ciosek); .
Alicja
A
Szczepanowska
From the Laboratory of Connective Tissue Metabolism, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Drobnik, Szczepanowska); the Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile Metrology, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland (Krucinska, Komisarczyk); the Department of Dental Pathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Sporny); and the Department of Neuropeptides Research, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland (Ciosek); .
Joanna
J
Ciosek
D000818:Animals; D002208:Caproates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002686:Chitin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007783:Lactones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
D002208:Caproates; D007783:Lactones; C528051:di-O-butyrylchitin; D002686:Chitin; C121056:caprolactone