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Published on: May 2, 2025
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Chitosan Nanofibrous Dressing Increased Angiogenesis and Anti-inflammatory Response in an Acute Wound Model in Rats:
Yury Salkovskiy1, Mahboubeh Ghanbari2, Carlos P Jara3
1Department of Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6160 University Drive South, Omaha, NE, 68182, USA. ysalkovskiy@unomaha.edu.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|October 8, 2025
Summary
Chitosan nanofibrous dressings significantly improved wound healing in rats by enhancing epithelialization and blood vessel formation. These advanced dressings also helped maintain lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) during healing.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Chitosan-based materials show potential for wound healing due to antibacterial, biocompatible, and biodegradable properties.
- The precise cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying chitosan's wound healing efficacy require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which chitosan nanofibrous dressings promote wound healing.
- To compare the efficacy of chitosan nanofibrous dressings against a commercial scaffold and a control in a rat wound model.
Main Methods:
- Full-thickness wounds were created in Sprague Dawley rats and treated with either chitosan nanofibrous dressings, a commercial scaffold, or a transparent film (control).
- Histological analysis, along with measurements of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels, were conducted at 7, 14, and 21 days post-wounding.
Main Results:
- Chitosan dressings significantly enhanced epithelialization by day 21 compared to the commercial scaffold (87.5% vs. 42.0%).
- Both chitosan and scaffold groups exhibited lower TNF-α levels than controls; the chitosan group showed a lower CD68+/CD163+ ratio and increased blood vessel formation compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Chitosan nanofibrous dressings accelerate acute wound healing in rats.
- The dressings promote re-epithelialization, neovasculogenesis, and modulate inflammatory responses by maintaining reduced TNF-α levels in later healing stages.
