OBJECTIVETo compare differences of angiogenesis among collagen- chitosan, collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffolds and acellular dermal matrix after these three different scaffolds with silicone membrane were transplanted on the wounds of full thickness burn, and the wound repair of different scaffolds with epidermis grafting on.

METHODSAngiogenesis in different dermal scaffolds, the wound surface and epidermis survival were observed in 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the three different scaffolds were respectively transplanted on wounds of full thickness burn with debridement in 6 Bama miniature pigs (total 18 pigs in 3 groups). At the same time, CD34 positive signals (neo-forming microvessels) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The wounds without any scaffold transplantation were studied as the control.

RESULTSAngiogenesis had been fundamentally finished in 2 weeks after implantation of collagen- sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold. And fundamental angiogenesis in collagen- chitosan porous scaffolds and acellular dermal matrix needed at least 3 weeks. Neo-forming micro-vessels perpendicular to wound beds with these three different scaffolds were more than those in the control wounds without scaffold. CD34 positive signals (neo-forming micro-vessels) were significantly higher in wounds at the second week than those in wounds at the first week. And those in wounds at the third week were significantly higher than those in wounds at the second week in all wounds with different scaffold transplantations and the control wounds. CD34 positive signals in the group of sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd week after the scaffold transplantation were significantly higher than those corresponding signals in the other three groups. Epidermis on the sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold which had been transplanted on burn wound for 1 week could survive perfectly, however, epidermis on the collagen- chitosan porous scaffold or acellular dermal matrix could not survive until these two scaffolds had been transplanted on the burn wounds for at least 2 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSThese three different scaffolds could repair the full thickness skin defects caused by burn, and angiogenesis of sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold is the best.