In order to study the effect of chitin and chitosan on the growth of Schwann cell (SC) of rats in vitro, the SC was isolated from sciatic nerve and brachial plexus of new-born rats. After the enzymatic and mechanical dissociation, the cell suspension was vaccinated on chitin membrane and chitosan fluid-coated glass coverslips. Then, the growth of SC was examined at 1, 3, 7 days after culture under light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The results showed that 94 percent of the cell grown from was SC and only 6% was fibroblast (FB), while that of the control SC 71% and FB 29% in population. The number of SC in chitosan suspension was more than that in chitin. Therefore, the conclusion was that the chitin and chitosan was histocompatible to SC, and chitosan suspension was superior to chitin, and both could inhibit the growth of fibroblast.
Sixty-one cases of fracture or dislocation were treated with France-made biopolyester ligament. They consisted of 18 cases of fracture of patella, 13 cases of fracture of olecranon, 8 cases of fracture of distal clavicle, 10 cases of dislocation of acromino-clavicular joint, 6 cases of separation of lower tibio-fibular joint, 3 cases of rapture of cruciate ligament and 3 cases of fracture of upper third of ulna with dislolcation of radial head. The follow-up period lasted from 3 to 12 months with an average of 7.3 months. The result showed that of the 56 follow-up cases, 49 were excellent and 7 were satisfactory. There was no redisplacement occured in this group. The Biopolyester ligament was believed to be a good and safe material for fractures or dislocations and was of good strength of extension and easy to use.
The biomaterial, chitin, was used to create a nerve regeneration chamber for bridging healing experiment of sciatic nerve of rats having a defect of 12mm. The crude Schwann cells were introduced into the chambers in one group and the other group had no crude Schwann cells in the chamber and the results of the two groups were compared with those having the nerve defects bridged with skeletal muscles. The specimens were observed by macroscopic, microdissection. electrophysiologic testing, HRP retrograde labelling, histologic and electron microscopic examinations at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the operation. The results showed that atthe 8th week, the regenerating nerve fibers from the cephalad ends had united with the fibers of the caudal ends of the divided nerves either the crude Schwanneclls were introduced or not, but the morphology of the regenerating nerve, the way of regeneration and the recovery of the function of the extremities were far superior in the group that no cruds Schwann cells had been introduced than those with crude Schwann cell introduced and those bridged by skeletal muscles.
Thiry wistar rats were used and divided in 2 groups. A segment of 6mm was excised in the sciatic nerve which were then bridged with chitin and skelal muscle. at 4,8,12 weeks after operation, In the chitin group a satisfactory regeneration of nerve fibers was evident with electrophysiologic and histologic examinations, and HRP retrogade labelling evaluation. The possible mechanism of enhancing nerve regeneration of chitin was also discussed.