Optimizing fish skin scaffolds for regenerative medicine: A comparative study of physical and chemical...

Fish skin scaffolds have great potential as biocompatible materials for skin regeneration, as they contain high levels of collagen and are structurally similar to the mammalian extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we compared the efficiency of physical decellularization with chemical decellularization using sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), and Triton X-100 at two concentrations (0.5% and 1%) and two time intervals (6 and 12 h). The decellularization efficiency and quality of scaffolds were assessed via histological observations, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, MTT assay to evaluate cytocompatibility, scaffold degradation rate, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations. Silicone membrane physical decellularization preserves the integrity of the ECM, retains higher levels of GAG (1.5 µg/mm³) and higher levels of fibroblast viability (p < 0.001) and demonstrates limited degradation (< 20% on day 14) compared to chemical decellularization. Chemical decellularization caused some breakdown of the ECM, particularly treatments at 1%-12h, and was able to retain lower levels of GAG (0.5-0.9 µg/mm³) while degrading more (up to 150%). SEM shows the scaffolds from the physical decellularization treatment had a clearer fibrous structure compared to the variable porosity of the chemical treatment.