Evaluation of biocompatibility and degradation of chitosan nanofiber membrane crosslinked with genipin

Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide, has demonstrated potential as a degradable biocompatible guided bone regeneration membrane. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo biocompatibility and degradation of chitosan nanofiber membranes, with and without genipin crosslinking as compared with a commercial collagen membrane in rat model. Chitosan nanofiber membranes, with and without genipin crosslinking, and collagen membrane (control) were implanted subcutaneously in the backs of 30 rats. The membranes were analyzed histologically at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks. Sections were viewed and graded by a blinded pathologist using a 4-point scoring system (0 = absent, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, and 3 = severe) to determine the tissue reaction to the membranes and to observe membrane degradation. There was no statistically significant difference in histological scores among chitosan and collagen membranes at different time points. Absence or minimal inflammation was observed in 57-74% of the membranes across all groups. Most chitosan membranes persisted for 16-20 weeks, whereas most collagen membranes disappeared by resorption at 12-16 weeks. The general tissue response to chitosan nanofiber membranes with and without genipin crosslinking, was similar to that of control commercial collagen membrane. However, the chitosan membranes exhibited slower degradation rates than collagen membranes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc