Electrospun anti-adhesion barrier made of chitosan alginate for reducing peritoneal adhesions

In this study, novel anti-adhesion mat made of chitosan alginate was fabricated via electrospinning. The structure and morphology of electrospun membrane were examined using a field-emission scanning electron microscope and confocal laser scanning microscope. The degree of disintegration of the electrospun mat was assessed. The results showed that the degree of disintegration in DMEM for chitosan alginate mat was 64% of that of conventional calcium alginate mat after 5 days. In addition, the tissue anti-adhesion potential was evaluated with in vitro cell adhesion model and in vivo rat model. About 40% of the animals treated with chitosan alginate exhibited no tissue adhesion between injured peritoneum and cecum. The result demonstrated that chitosan alginate was effective in reducing the formation of tissue adhesion. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.