Wound healing acceleration by a textile dressing containing dibutyrylchitin and chitin

New textile dressings containing dibutyrylchitin (DBCH) or regenerated chitin (RC) were prepared in the process of coating a trade polypropylene non-woven material with films of DBCH or RC. The dry dressing material contained ca. 40% of DBCH and 30% of RC. The dressings obtained were cut into pieces of 5 × 5 cm, sterilised by ethylene oxide and then subjected to biological evaluation required for medical devices. The evaluation included cytotoxicity effects, levels of cytokines TNF-α and IFNs, synthesis of nitrogen oxides (NO √ NO3), intracutaneous irritation, and the influence of full thickness skin lesions on the healing process.DBCH and RC caused no cytotoxic effects or primary irritation either in vitro or in vivo, nor did the activity of TNF-α, IFNs or the nitrogen oxide levels increase, and both had a positive influence on the wound healing process. Both dibutyrylchitin and regenerated chitin used for coating trade polypropylene non-woven material can be regarded as valuable dressing materials that accelerate wound healing.