With an aim of improving bone regeneration, chitosan sponge containing plat
elet-derived growth factor-BE (PDGF-BB) were developed. For fabrication of
chitosan sponge, chitosan solution was freeze-dried, crosslinked and freeze
-dried again. PDGF-BB was incorporated into the chitosan sponge by soaking
chitosan sponge into the PDGF-BE solution. Release kinetics of PDGF-BB, cel
l attachment, proliferation capacity and bony regenerative potentials of PD
GF-BB-loaded chitosan sponge were investigated. Prepared chitosan sponge re
tained porous structure with 100 mu m pore diameter that was suitable for c
ellular migration and growth. Release rate of PDGF-BB could be controlled b
y varying initial loading content of PDGF-EB to obtain optimal therapeutic
efficacy. PDGF-BB-loaded chitosan sponge induced significantly high cell at
tachment and proliferation level, which indicated good cellular adaptabilit
y. PDGF-BB-loaded chitosan sponge demonstrated marked increase in new bone
formation and rapid calcification. Degradation of the chitosan sponge was p
roceeded at defect site and subsequently replaced with new bone. Histomorph
ometric analysis confirmed that PDGF-BB-loaded chitosan sponge significantl
y induced new bone formation. These results suggested that chitosan sponge
and PDGF-BB-loaded chitosan sponge may be beneficial to enhance periodontal
bone regeneration. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.