Development of fungal mycelia as skin substitutes: Effects on wound healing and fibroblast

In this study, Sacchachitin membrane, prepared from the residue of the frui ting body of Ganoderma tsugae, was estimated for its effects on wound heali ng and the proliferation and migration of fibroblast cells. Two mirror-imag e wounds were made on the back of female guinea pigs by dissecting a 1.5 x 1.5 cm(2) skin surface of full thickness. Sacchachitin membrane was placed randomly on one of the wounds and gauze or Beschitin(R) on the other. Chang es in the wound area were measured and photographed after a predetermined a mount of time postoperatively. Histological examination of the wound and su rrounding tissue was also performed to reveal any interaction of tissue wit h the dressing. The results showed that the wound area covered with Sacchac hitin membrane was statistically smaller than that covering with gauze on d ay 10, whereas there was no significant difference in the wound size compar ed to that with Beschitin(R). Fibroblast cells from the dermis layer of gui nea pigs were used. The number of fibroblast cells were counted on the pred etermined days in the culture suspended with or without 0.01% w/v dressing materials. By layering on DMEM plates, the number of fibroblast cells migra ting across the center line or outside of the central hole were counted aft er five days. All the results indicated that both 0.01% w/v of Sacchachitin and chitin significantly enhanced the proliferation and migration of fibro blast cells. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.