Evaluation of Keratin/Bacterial Cellulose Based Scaffolds as Potential Burned Wound Dressing

Cezar Doru Radu,Vasile Vulpe,Ciprian Vasile Macarel,Florin Daniel Lipsa,Madalina Ciocan,Laura Bulgariu,Ionela Sîrbu,Corneliu Munteanu,Camelia Tamas,Sorin Pașca,Elena Gavrilas,Bogdan Istrate,Eugen Ulea,Bogdan Mihnea Ciuntu,Liliana Verestiuc

doi:10.3390/app11051995

Abstract

The study presents the preparation and characterization of new scaffolds based on bacterial cellulose and keratin hydrogel which were seeded with adipose stem cells. The bacterial cellulose was obtained by developing an Acetobacter xylinum culture and was visualized using SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and elementally determined through EDAX (dispersive X-ray analysis) tests. Keratin species (β–keratose and γ-keratose) was extracted by hydrolytic degradation from non-dyed human hair. SEM, EDAX and conductometric titration tests were performed for physical–chemical and morphological evaluation. Cytocompatibility tests performed in vitro confirmed the material non-toxic effect on cells. The scaffolds, with and without stem cells, were grafted on the burned wounds on the rabbit’s dorsal region and the grafts were monitored for 21 days after the application on the wounds. The clinical monitoring of the grafts and the histopathological examination demonstrated the regenerative potential of the bacterial cellulose–keratin scaffolds, under the test conditions.

Highlights

This article is an open access articleExtensive and deep burn wounds represent a severe pathology, altering the general balance of the patient’s status
Cellulose captures the carbon dioxide molecules resulting from cellulose synthesis, ensuring the bacteria float on the surface of the water, having easy access to oxygen in the air; being aerobic, this means good nutrition at the interface with atmospheric air
Scaffolds based on bacterial cellulose and keratin derivates were obtained and tested

Summary

Introduction

Extensive and deep burn wounds represent a severe pathology, altering the general balance of the patient’s status. Complex general and local therapy is required for the re-equilibration of the patients and recovering the protective barrier of the organism. Deep burns occupying over 15–20% from the body surface generate a multiple organ failure with progression to post-combustion shock. Burned skin opens a huge gate for important loss of fluids, proteins, enzymes, electrolytes, altering the cardio-vascular, digestive, respiratory, and renal functions [2]. Increased blood viscosity generates a higher risk to thromboembolism and wound’s bacterial invasion determines multiple organs failure and septic shock. It is important to excise the post burn necrosis and the challenge comes from the lack of donor zones sites, the high risk of wound deepening, and bacterial aggression [3,4]. Wound healing is a dynamic process that involves a complex series of events, lasting from the moment of injury to healing and includes increased activity of inflammatory, vascular, connective tissue, and epithelial cells

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