Abstract:

BACKGROUND: In order to verify whether the hyaluronic acid-modified chitosan can serve as nerve scaffolds, the research group conducted in vivo test based on previous in vitro study.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the biocompatibility and superiority of scar inhibition of hyaluronic acid-modified and poly-l-lysine modified chitosan scaffold, as well as pure chitosan scaffold in brain tissue.
METHODS: Three kinds of scaffolds were implanted in the damage zone of rat cerebral cortex. At 3, 7, 14, 28, 56 days postoperation, brain tissues were harvested to undergo hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. The inflammation, scar tissue formation and the growth of never cells in the implanted site were observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Each kind of scaffolds has a good biocompatibility with brain tissues. Hyaluronic acid modified chitosan scaffold showed lighter inflammation and less GFAP-positive cells around the scaffolds compared with other scaffolds. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Results showed that chitosan scaffolds of each group have a good biocompatibility. The hyaluronic acid modified chitosan scaffold is superior to others to inhibit scar formation and helps to the growth of nerve cells, and shows its superiority in tissue engineering.