Water-soluble chitin as a wound healing accelerator

Water-soluble chitin (WSC) was prepared by controlling degree of deacetylation (DD) and molecular weight of chitin through alkaline and ultrasonic treatment. Its accelerating effect on wound healing in rats was compared with those of chitin and chitosan. Full-thickness skin incision was made on the backs of the rats and then three kinds of powders (chitin, chitosan, WSC) and an aqueous solution of WSC were embedded in the wounds. The tensile strength and the hydroxyproline content of the wounded skins were measured and histological examination was performed. The WSC was found to be more efficient than chitin or chitosan as a wound-healing accelerator. The wound treated with WSC solution was completely reepithelialized, granulation tissues in the wound were nearly replaced by fibrosis and hair follicles were almost healed at 7 days after initial wounding. Also, the WSC-solution-treated skin had the highest tensile strength and the arrangement of collagen fibers in the skin was similar to normal skins. The WSC solution is considered to be a suitable wound-healing agent due to its easy application and high effectiveness. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.