Preparation and characterization of fibrin-chitosan composite and its in vivo studies

–Biomaterials are used in regenerative medicine, implantable materials, controlled release carriers or scaffolds for tissue engineering. Biological dressings like fibrin glue, gelatin sheets, chitosan films, collagen is popular for quicker wound healing. These polymers when used in combination such as fibringelatin, fibrin-chitosan has shown better results, than when used alone. Thus, the present research work is concentrated on the preparation and evaluation of composite films made with chitosan-fibrin to ascertain the applicability of the prepared combination for wound management. Temporary biological wound dressings were prepared, in film form, using physiologically clotted fibrin and chitosan (FC) employing PVP as porogen. The films were characterized for their percentage equilibrium water content (% EWC), water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), bacterial penetration, surface morphology and in vivo biodegradation using rats as animal models. The film prepared using fibrin 10ml (40% solids) and chitosan solution 5ml (4% in 0.3N acetic acid) has exhibited better results. The FC films have shown excellent inhibition for bacterial penetration. The micrographs taken for wet membrane have shown swollen strands of fibrin expanding throughout the surface indicating the hydrogel nature of the film. In vivo degradation studies have revealed that the FC is completely biodegradable in 30 days without any adverse foreign body reaction indicating its