ASSESSMENT OF CLINICAL SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE TOXICITY FOLLOWING THE IMPLANTATION OF A NANOCELLULOSE-BASED BIOCOMPOSITE

The study of acute toxicity is considered an integral part of any medical substance's preclinical evaluation. Changes in the psycho-emotional state are among the important indicators of the neurotoxic effects of various substances on animals and humans. Non-conflict methods of research are gaining increasing popularity as the most humane approaches with respect to animals, among which methods based on ethological approaches play a central role.

A nanocellulose-based biocomposite was used as the implantable material. The study was conducted on 25 rats and included the formation of a defect in the mid-diaphysis of the femur followed by filling with either the biocomposite (10) or an autologous blood clot (10). Additionally, implantation into soft tissues was performed (5). The animals were observed for 14 days, during which clinical symptoms were assessed and open field and elevated plus maze tests were conducted.

The nanocellulose-based biocomposite did not exhibit pyrogenic activity when implanted into bone and soft tissues. Assessment of several behavioral acts and states revealed no statistically significant differences in locomotor and exploratory activity between the experimental and control groups. The analysis of the indicators shows that the tested substance does not exert an acute toxic effect on the nervous system.