Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of chitosan membrane on wound healing.
Method: The effect of chitosan membranes was evaluated in an experimental rat model. On day 0, circular full-thickness skin sections were excised from the scalps of rats. The wounds were then measured and the surrounding area tattooed. Rats were sacrificed either immediately after excision, or randomised into control and chitosan groups and followed up on day 3, 7, 14 or 21. Control group wounds were covered with Aquacel (wound dressing). Chitosan group wounds were covered with chitosan membranes and the wound dressing. Wounds and the distances between the tattooed marks were measured on follow-up, the wound sites were harvested and histologically examined, and serum interleukin (IL-4) levels were analysed.
Results: A total of 54 rats were examined and all time points included 6 control and 6 chitosan treated animals, except for day 0 which consisted of control animals only. On day 3, wounds in the chitosan group were significantly (p<0.05) smaller (60±6% versus 78±19% of the original wound area) than in the control group. Chitosan membranes were found to degrade at the wound sites between days 7 and 14. Leukocyte counts were lower in the chitosan group than in the control group on day seven (p<0.05). IL-4 levels were significantly higher on day 7 (p<0.001) and 14 (p<0.001) in the chitosan group.
Conclusion: According to our results chitosan membrane may promote early wound healing, reduce inflammation and affect the IL-4 pathway, however, the membrane degrades at the wound site after day 7.
Keywords: IL-4; chitosan; chitosan membrane; full-thickness; wound healing.