IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF DIFFERENT WOUND DRESSING MATERIALS

The in vitro biocompatibility of newly developed wound dressings consi sting of different chitosan salts (chitosan lactate, glutamate and chl oride) and a chitosan derivative (methylpyrrolidinone chitosan) was co mpared with three commercially available wound dressings made of colla gen, calciumalginate, and gelatin, by evaluation in a fibroblast cell culture system. Three experimental models which reflect relevant stage s of wound healing were used, and the significant influence of the exp erimental setting on the results was demonstrated. Collagen and methyl pyrrolidinone chitosan were the most compatible materials under the in vestigated test conditions. Chitosan chloride and glutamate were the l east 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.