Evaluation and biological characterization of bilayer gelatin/chondroitin- 6-sulphate/hyaluronic acid membrane

Abstract

A biodegradable polymer scaffold was developed using gelatin, chondroitin-6-sulphate, and hyaluronic acid in the form of bilayer network. The bilayer porous structure of gelatin-chondroitin-6-sulphate-hyaluronic acid (G-C6S-HA) membrane was fabricated using different freezing temperatures followed by lyophilization. 1-Ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide was used as crosslinking agent to improve the biological stability of the scaffold. The morphology, physical-chemical properties, and biocompatibility of bilayer G-C6S-HA membrane were evaluated in this study. The functional groups change in crosslinked G-C6S-HA scaffold was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The retention of glycosaminoglycan contents and matrix degradation rate were also examined by p-dimethylamino benzaldehyde and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid, respectively. Water absorption capacity was carried out to study G-C6S-HA membrane water containing characteristics. The morphology of the bilayer G-C6S-HA membrane was investigated under scanning electron microscope and light microscopy. In vitro biocompatibility was conducted with MTT test, LDH assay, as well as histological analysis. The results showed that the morphology of bilayer G-C6S-HA membrane was well reserved. The physical-chemical properties were also adequate. With good biocompatibility, this bilayer G-C6S-HA membrane would be suitable as a matrix in the application of tissue engineering. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.