Biomaterials

Biography

Biography: Gizem Cigdem Demir

Abstract

Gelatin has been widely used in tissue scaffolds due to its excellent biocompatibility, low antigen property, controllable biodegradability, hemostatic property and ability to stimulate cell adhesion/ growth. In literature, xanthan, a water-soluble natural gum produced by fermentation of sugar, is used as adjuvant hydrogel in tissue engineering as well as drug delivery applications. In this study, the potential of vitamin C containing oxidized xanthan (OX) and gelatin (GEL) composite hydrogels of different OX:GEL ratios was investigated as a wound dressing for the first time in the literature. Borax, a non-toxic, inexpensive and readily available cross-linker were used for preparing the composite hydrogels. Also, CaCl2 was used as a crosslinker alongside borax to increase the degree of crosslinking and to make hydrogel durable for treatment time. Initially, concentration of crosslinkers ,boraks (Bo): CaCl2 (Ca), then ratio of OX:Gelatin (1:3, 2:3, 1:1 wt:wt) was optimized. Among groups with different crosslinker ratios (2Bo:1Ca, 1Bo:2Ca and 1Bo:1Ca wt:wt), the hydrogel crosslinked with 2Bo:1Ca wt:wt ratio had the highest structural stability. Vitamin C was used to improve skin regeneration and due to its antioxidant properties. Hydrogel groups with different OX:Gelatin ratios (1:3, 2:3, 1:1 wt:wt) were compared through study. In vitro studies were conducted with fibroblast (L929) cell line. Cell proliferation was highest on OX:Gelatin(1:3 wt:wt) hydrogel. In order to solve the problems encountered in the current dressing applications; Physicochemical, mechanical and in vitro biocompatibility properties of composite hydrogels containing vitamin C are under investigation. The authors acknowledge METU BIOMATEN for financial support and laboratory facilities.