The effect of water soluble chitin on wound healing in rats Chitin and chitosan, polysaccharides made up of polymeric N-acetyl glucosamine and D-glucosamine, are widely found in nature, forming skeletons of crustaceans and insects as well as components of bacteria cell walls. Chitin and chitosan have been known to have many useful biological properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, antimicrobial activity, and wound healing property. The key-point of practical use of chitin was making water soluble form. The purpose of this study was to compare the wound healing effect of water soluble with insoluble chitin. Full-thickness skin incision was made on the backs of the Sprague-Dawley rats. Three groups composed respectively with saline, water insoluble chitin and water soluble chitin were embedded in the wounds. The wound breaking strength and the collagen-hydroxyproline content of the wounded skins were measured and histological examination was performed at the time of 3, 7, 10 days respectively after the procedure. The tensile strength was maximum in case of water soluble chitin. The amount of collagen hydroxyproline was minimum in water soluble chitin. The wound treated with the water soluble and insoluble chitin was completely reepithelialized and granulation tissue in the wound was observed at 7 days after initial wounding. The arrangement of collagen fibers in the skin was orderly and similar to normal skin.
Animals ; Bacteria ; Cell Wall ; Chitin* ; Chitosan ; Collagen ; Glucosamine ; Granulation Tissue ; Hydroxyproline ; Insects ; Polymers ; Polysaccharides ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skeleton ; Skin ; Tensile Strength ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of chitin on open wound healing in rabbits. Using 15 rabbits, a round, full thickness defect of skin with 2 cm in diameter was made on the ventral surface of the each ear. The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups: control group untreated group), base ointment group (group treated with base ointment), and chitin ointment group(group treated with water soluble chitin ointment). A total of 30 wounds were made and each subgroup was allocated 10. On the 7th day after initial wounding, each wound site including surrounding tissue was taken for macroscopic and histological observations. The amount of epithelialization and granulation tissue were measured by Image Analysis System. In macroscopic examination, larger amount of exudate and granulation tissue were observed in water soluble chitin ointment group compared to control and base ointment groups. In histological examination, water soluble chitin ointment group showed thick epithelium and larger amount of granulation tissue and fibroblast deposition. The areas of epithelialization and granulation tissue were significantly increased in water soluble chitin ointment group compared to control and base ointment groups. In conclusion, water soluble chitin accelerated open wound healing by accelerating reepithelization and granulation tissue formation.
Animals ; Chitin* ; Ear ; Epithelium ; Exudates and Transudates ; Fibroblasts ; Granulation Tissue ; Rabbits* ; Skin ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*