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CHITOSAN KEY PROPERTIES


Supports an anti-inflammatory environment

As a polysaccharide, chitosan is recognized naturally by the body. A low Degree of Acetylation (DA) has been shown to support M2 anti-inflammatory macrophage conditions.1,2


Inhibits fibroblast proliferation and infiltration

Fibroblasts have been shown to not proliferate on chitosan films. This behavior may be related to their high adhesion to the material which would inhibit their growth.3


Supports Schwann cell activity

Low DA chitosan films have been shown to favor Schwann cell invasion and proliferation with appropriate cytoskeletal morphology.4,6


Has antimicrobial properties

Preclinical studies have shown that chitosan exhibits antimicrobial activity.5,9,10


Is biodegradable

A natural biodegradable biopolymer, chitosan undergoes enzymatic degradation into recognizable, biocompatible components. The low DA composition contributes to mechanical stability, neutral pH, and degradation products that have been shown to be beneficial to tissue healing.6,7


Fully resorbs

Chitosan is primarily depolymerized by lysozyme, leading to full resorption. The degradation products of chitosan are bio-friendly (glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and chitooligosaccharides),6 as well as supportive throughout the healing process.8

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE

Enhancing the Outcome of Traumatic Sensory Nerve Lesions of the Hand by Additional Use of a Chitosan Nerve Tube in Primary Nerve Repair: A Randomized Controlled Bicentric Trial

In Vitro Evaluation of Cell-Seeded Chitosan Films for Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering

Chitosan tubes of varying degrees of acetylation for bridging peripheral nerve defects

The interaction of Schwann cells with chitosan membranes and fibers in vitro

The interaction of Schwann cells with chitosan membranes and fibers in vitro

Chitosan Degradation Products Promote Nerve Regeneration by Stimulating Schwann Cell Proliferation via miR-27a/FOXO1 Axis

The Beneficial Effect of Chitooligosaccharides on Cell Behavior and Function of Primary Schwann Cells is Accompanied by Up-Regulation of Adhesion Proteins and Neurotrophins

Investigation of cell adhesion in chitosan membranes for peripheral nerve regeneration

Controlling cell adhesion and degradation of chitosan films by N-acetylation

Chitosan-film enhanced chitosan nerve guides for long-distance regeneration of peripheral nerves

Chitin-based tubes for tissue engineering in the nervous system

Chitosan as antimicrobial agent: applications and mode of action

Antibacterial Activity of Chitooligosaccharides

Chitosan conduit combined with hyaluronic acid prevent sciatic nerve scar in a rat model of peripheral nerve crush injury

The regeneration of transected sciatic nerves of adult rats using chitosan nerve conduits seeded with bone marrow stromal cell-derived Schwann cells

Comparative Evaluation of Chitosan Nerve Guides with Regular or Increased Bendability for Acute and Delayed Peripheral Nerve Repair: A Comprehensive Comparison with Autologous Nerve Grafts and Muscle-in-Vein Grafts

Strategies to improve nerve regeneration after radical prostatectomy: a narrative review

REFERENCES

  1. Vasconcelos DP, Fonseca AC, Costa M, et al. Macrophage polarization following chitosan implantation. Biomaterials. 2013;34(38):9952-9959. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.09.012

  2. Oliveira MI, Santos SG, Oliveira MJ, Torres AL, Barbosa MA. Chitosan drives anti-inflammatory macrophage polarisation and pro-inflammatory dendritic cell stimulation. Eur Cell Mater. 2012;24:136-153. Published 2012 Jul 24. doi:10.22203/ecm.v024a10

  3. Chatelet C, Damour O, Domard A. Influence of the degree of acetylation on some biological properties of chitosan films. Biomaterials. 2001;22(3):261-268. doi:10.1016/s0142-9612(00)00183-6

  4. Carvalho CR, López-Cebral R, Silva-Correia J, et al. Investigation of cell adhesion in chitosan membranes for peripheral nerve regeneration. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2017;71:1122-1134. doi:10.1016/j.msec.2016.11.100

  5. Ke CL, Deng FS, Chuang CY, Lin CH. Antimicrobial Actions and Applications of Chitosan. Polymers (Basel). 2021;13(6):904. Published 2021 Mar 15. doi:10.3390/polym13060904

  6. Matica A. Biodegradability of chitosan-based products. New Front Chem. 2017;26:75-86.

  7. Suyeon Kim, “Competitive Biological Activities of Chitosan and Its Derivatives: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities”, International Journal of Polymer Science, vol. 2018, Article ID 1708172, 13 pages, 2018.

  8. Wang Y, Zhao Y, Sun C, et al. Chitosan Degradation Products Promote Nerve Regeneration by Stimulating Schwann Cell Proliferation via miR-27a/FOXO1 Axis. Mol Neurobiol. 2016;53(1):28-39. doi:10.1007/s12035-014-8968-2

  9. Lillo L, Alarcón J, Cabello G, Céspedes C, Caro C. Antibacterial activity of chitooligosaccharides. Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2008;63(9-10):644-648. doi:10.1515/znc-2008-9-1005

  10. Jeon YJ, Park PJ, and Kim SK (2001), Antimicrobial effect of chitooligosaccharides produced by bioreactor. Carbohydr. Polym. 44, 71-76.

Chitosan is the biomaterial used in the NeuroShield Chitosan Membrane, a product designed to be an interface between the nerve and the surrounding tissue for uses to treat nerve injuries. Instructions for use, precautions, and further information on the published research supporting the statements about chitosan may be found at checkpointsurgical.com.

 

4030-MKT-027-A