Effects of different doses of gamma irradiation on oxygen and water vapour transmission rate of preserved human amniotic membrane

Abstract

Preserved human amniotic membrane either air dried or glycerol preserved has been used effectively to treat superficial and partial thickness wounds without leaving any obvious hypertrophic scar. The preserved amnion, sterilised by ionising radiation, is known as an effective barrier for heat, fluid and protein loss while adheres nicely on wound. Air drying slightly reduced the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the amnion and the value significantly dropped after 15 kGy (p < 0.05). Glycerol preservation significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the OTR indicating less oxygen transmitted through the well structured cells of the amnion. Increase in the OTR with the increasing radiation doses up to 35 kGy possibly due to direct effects of radiation that resulted in large intercellular gaps. Both preservation methods significantly increased (p < 0.05) the water vapour transmission rate (WVTR). However, the low WVTR in the air dried amnion at 15 and 25 kGy was postulated due to cross-linking of collagen. Changes in the biophysical properties can be linked to direct and indirect effects of radiation on collagen bundles. The radiation dose of 25 kGy caused no adverse effect on biophysical properties hence it is still acceptable to sterilize both the air dried and the glycerol preserved amnions.