IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF DIFFERENT WOUND DRESSING MATERIALS

The in vitro biocompatibility of newly developed wound dressings consisting of different chitosan salts (chitosan lactate, glutamate and chloride) and a chitosan derivative (methylpyrrolidinone chitosan) was compared with three commercially available wound dressings made of collagen, calciumalginate, and gelatin, by evaluation in a fibroblast cell culture system. Three experimental models which reflect relevant stages of wound healing were used, and the significant influence of the experimental setting on the results was demonstrated. Collagen and methylpyrrolidinone chitosan were the most compatible materials under the investigated test conditions. Chitosan chloride and glutamate were the least compatible substances. The results indicated that wound dressings made of chitosan lactate and methylpyrrolidinone chitosan as well as the three commercially available dressings are well tolerated.