Chitosan application to X-ray irradiated wound in dogs

Radiation-impaired wounds are characterized by fibroblast and endothelial cell in jury, resulting in delayed wound heating. Several previous studies have indicated that chitosan accelerates wound heating by up-regulating growth factor synthesis. In this study, the topical application of chitosan onto radiation-impaired wounds was investigated. An X-ray irradiated (25 Gy) skin wound was treated with cotton fibre-type chitosan in dogs. Histopathologically, neovascutarization was significantly accelerated in irradiated wounds in the chitosan application group (rad-chi group) when compared with irradiated wounds in the control group (rad-cont group). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in granulation tissue was positive in the rad-chi group, but was negative in the rad-cont group. The present results confirmed advanced granulation and capillary formation in wounds treated with chitosan, even after irradiation. (c) 2006 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.