Experimental evaluation of the effect of low molecular weight chitosan on the aseptic wound process

Background. Currently, in plastic surgery, contouring and injectable cosmetology, plant extracts and drugs are widely used, the effect of which is aimed at stimulating healing by activating fibrillogenesis and the epithelization process. At the same time, synchronization of these processes is not taken into account, which may cause the development of scar complications due to excessive collagenogenesis. The authors of the article suggest using low-molecular chitosan as a biologically active component affecting all reparative regeneration links in plastic surgery and contour plastic.

Objective. To conduct a comparative morphological assessment of the effect of hydrophilic gel with low molecular weight chitosan and gel containing a composition of extracts of medicinal plants on the aseptic wound process in the acute phase of inflammation (1 day after injury) and regenerative-plastic healing processes (7 days after injury).

Materials and methods. Studies performed on 30 male ICR mice. The aseptic wound was simulated under ether anesthesia by cutting out a full-layer subcutaneous skin area of no more than 50 mm2. A gel containing 2% hydroxypropyl cellulose (gelling agent) and 0.1% low molecular weight chitosan (20 kDa) was then applied daily to the wounds of the test group animals and to the control group gel containing a composition of extracts of medicinal plants animals. Morphological assessment of the acute phase of the wound process in animals of the experimental and control groups was carried out one day after the wound simulation, and morphological assessment of the regenerativeplastic processes in animals of the experimental and control groups was carried out 7 days after the wound simulation.

Results. Comparative morphological studies showed that the gel with low molecular weight chitosan has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect in the acute phase of the wound process and is superior in anti-inflammatory effect to gel containing a composition of extracts of medicinal plants. It was also found that a gel with low molecular weight chitosan has almost the same effect as gel containing a composition of extracts of medicinal plants on the dynamics of the change in the area of the aseptic wound. However, when using a gel with low molecular weight chitosan, a full-fledged process of reparative regeneration in the skin wound with the participation of tissue macrophages is observed, there is no neutrophil infiltration, which indicates a complete relief of the inflammatory process. The number of fibroblasts, collagen and reticulin fibers is synchronized with the activation of the wound healing process and in fact completely removes the risk of developing fibrous scar complications after skin injury.

Conclusion. Gel with low molecular weight chitosan can be a very promising agent for the treatment of aseptic wounds, in injectable cosmetology, contouring and plastic surgery to relieve edema, relieve pain, relieve acute inflammation and prevent scar complications by activating physiological mechanisms of reparative regeneration due to the activation of tissue macrophages.

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