Chitosan Scaffold Enhances Angiogenesis within an in vitro Reconstructed Bladder Wall, an Animal Study

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Background: The function of a reconstructed bladder dependson the contracting bladder wall. This can be obtainedwith sufficient angiogenesis. Polyglycolic acid (PGA) is usedas a cell vehicle for bladder reconstruction. Chitosan supportsadhesion and differentiation of endothelial cells. Theaim of the study was to compare PGA with PGA/chitosan‘sandwich’ grafts for bladder wall regeneration. Materialsand Methods: 3T3 fibroblasts were seeded on 6 PGA and 3chitosan scaffolds and incubated 3 days at 37ºC and 5% CO2before implantation. Three rats underwent bladder reconstructionwith PGA cell seeded grafts and 3 with PGA graftscovered with chitosan cell seeded grafts (‘sandwich’ graft).Three rats as controls were not operated on. After 6 monthsreconstructed tissue was stained with H&E. Vessels wereidentified by immunohistochemistry by CD31 and CD34staining. A 4-level scale was used, (+++) referred to evidentmarker presence (high density of vessels) and (-) as lack of amarker (no vessels). Results: No complications during the 6-month period were noted. PGA/chitosan grafts were evaluatedas (+) while PGA grafts were evaluated as (+) and (-) bythe use of the CD31 antibody. The control group was evaluatedas (+). PGA/chitosan grafts were evaluated as (++) and(+) while PGA grafts were evaluated as (++) and (-) by CD34staining. The control group was evaluated as (+) and (-). Conclusion:Chitosan improved PGA abilities as a cell matrix andenhanced angiogenesis within the in vitro reconstructedgraft.