ISSN 1866-8836
Клеточная терапия и трансплантация

Surgical treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases using chitosan matrices

Sergey B. Ulitovskiy 1*, Anna V. Antipova 1*, Alexander D. Vilesov 1**, 2, GalinaYu. Yukina 1***, Dmitry N. Suslov 1****, 3, Pavel V. Popryadukhin 1****, 2, Oleg V. Galibin 1**
1* Department of Preventive Stomatology
1** Biotechnology Department, R.Gorbacheva Memorial Research Institute of Children Oncology, Hematology and Transplantation
1*** Laboratory of Pathomorphology, Th e University Research Center
1**** Laboratory of Invasive Technologies, Th e University Research Center
1 First Petersburg State I. Pavlov Medical University
2 Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences
3 Russian Research A.Granov Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, St. Petersburg, Russia
doi 10.18620/ctt-1866-8836-2018-7-4-66-71

Summary

A variety of medications is applied nowadays for treatment of infl ammatory periodontal diseases (IPD) which are the prevalent dental disorders worldwide. A method of surgical treatment is described for IPD. We present a classifi cation of natural and synthetic membranes used in surgical interventions, and describe a novel treatment technology using a natural chitosan polymer.

Materials and methods

Porous 3-D matrices were obtained by lyophilization of chitosan solution from the 2% solution of acetic acid. Th e resulting chitosan matrices had micropores of 100 to 150 nm in size. Th e in vivo experiments with porous chitosan membranes were performed in rabbits. Artificial maxillar bone defects were infl icted, being overlaidby the tested material. Some animals were subjected to rib exposure and infl iction of a bone defect, then filled with a biodegradable porous chitosan-based matrix.

Results

Morphological examination of artifi cially damaged ribs with implanted material has revealed various changes of bone tissue and porous matrix, without suffi cient inflammation signs. At 1 month, the matrix/bone border has shown osteoclasts at the site of bone defect 30 days aft er surgery, along with neoangiogenesis at the site of repair. At 3 to 6 months post-surgery, periosteal structures were organized, as well as local fi brosis was developed.

Conclusion

Porous chitosan matrix proved to be biocompatible, bioinert, and bioresorbable material, thus meeting the requirements applicable to the materials suitable for production of the bone matrices.

Keywords

Periodontium, regeneration, membrane, chitosan.


Introduction

Treatment of infl ammatory periodontal diseases (IPD) still represents a lot of issues. Th e global IPD prevalence among adults, according to the WHO data, is up to 90-95% without any trends for decrease [1, 2]. Medical treatment of IPD patients should be performed in combined, purposeful and personalized manner. Both local and general treatment should be applied, using effi cient methods of conservative, surgical and prosthetic treatment [1, 2].
Moreover, some novel treatments are recently introduced, based on cellular engineering, aiming for partial or total replacement of the damaged tissues. Such techniques presume modeling and construction of biocompatible (scaff old-type) carrier containing medical drugs. Th e main requirements for the modern matrix materials are as follows: complete biological compatibility, sustained viability of the cells seeded in the matrix, ability for biodegradation and replacement by normal tissues, changes in structure and properties fi tting the environmental eff ects [3].
Th e tissue engineering techniques are widely used in the IPD surgical treatment, especially when using the so-called directed tissue regeneration (DTR), i.e., a surgical approach which mechanically prevents epithelial migration to the apical side, thus promoting periodontal recovery without usage of natural and synthetic materials for the bone plastics. Th e method is aimed for creation of physical barrier between the graft and treated dental root surface resulting into preferential migration of slowly regenerating periodontal and bone cells to the aff ected site [4].
Both biodegradable and non- biodegradable membranes are now used at the present time when performing the directed tissue regeneration (DTR). Th ey may be classifi ed by their origin and composition, as shown in Table 1. Polytetrafl uorethylene (PTFE) is oft en used for manufacturing the non-biodegradable synthetic membranes. Th e PFTE non-biodegradable membranes are considered a “golden standard” for the DTR methodology. Th e results obtained with other membranes are usually compared to this PFTE material which has several advantages: essential mechanical resistance, no bone fi ller is required, and suffi cient barrier properties are present. PFTE drawbacks include a need for repeated surgical intervention 4 to 6 weeks for its extraction, complete closure of the membrane when sealing the flap with reliable fi xation; a need for regular weekly or biweekly inspections [4, 5, 6].

Table 1. Listing of the main membrane types [5]

66-71 Table 1. Listing of the main membrane.png
Natural membranes represent structures consisting of animal collagen (xenogeneic), or allogeneic membranes which contain allogeneic collagen supplied by lyophilized demineralized bone, or membranes consisting of xenogeneic collagen and reduced amounts of mineral matrix obtained aft er partial electrolytic plate demineralization. All these membranes are based on, mainly, type I collagen. Th eir biodegradation continues for 5 to 6 months, barrier functions retain for 4 months, with good adhesion properties and only rare complications upon their exposure. Such membrane plate is elastic, thus requiring bone plastic materials in order to retain the space. Given long resorption rates, this material should be chosen for defects with presumed slow regeneration. Synthetic membranes are produced as polymeric and gel-like structures. Th e gel membranes are subject to biodegradation within 9 to 12 months, with their barrier properties kept for 6 months. However, it is more diffi cult to work with these materials which are rather hard upon polymerization. This type of membranes is now less common applied in dentistry due to problems when handling them. Th e procedure needs much time in cases of indirect usage, when the membrane is shaped beyond surgical area, followed by introduction to the damaged area [4, 5, 6].
There are no clear benefi ts revealed for either biodegradable, or non-biodegradable membranes. Th erefore, some authors, when comparing parameters of diff erent materials for the membrane fabrication, have considered chitosan to be the most promising substance which exhibits chondro- and osteoconductive properties, high degree of biocompatibility and complete biodegradation of the polymer, as well as expressed antibacterial activity and homeostatic effi ciency [7, 8, 9].
Chitosan is a desialylated form of chitin polymer which is widely spread in living nature. It seems to be a promising raw material for matrices and biomimetics of bone and cartilageous tissues. At the present time, chitosan is increasingly used in dentistry since it meets the requirements for potential matrix base [8, 9, 10].
Chitosan applied as the matrix scaff old allows prevention of immune-related synthesis, thus increasing biocompatibility of the composite matrices. Chemical properties of chitosan provide diff erent modifi cations of its polymer structure, incorporation of various biologically active compounds (both organic and inorganic substances), thus being an important factor. [11, 12, 13, 14]. One should also note that electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction of chitosan with some modifying agents may even enhance its biological activity. Th e aim of this study was to investigate the eff ectiveness of using chitosan membranes for the treatment of infl ammatory periodontal diseases.

Materials and methods

At the present time, we perform a joint study by the Department of Preventive Stomatology, Department of Biotechnology at the R. Gorbacheva Memorial Research Institute of Children Oncology, Hematology and Transplantology (1st St. Petersburg State I. Pavlov Medical University), and the Research Institute of Macromolecular Compounds (Russian Academy of Sciences), concerning development and implementation of an original approach to surgical treatment of infl ammatory periodontal diseases using a novel chitosan-based matrix (Fig. 1), as described elsewhere [6].
66-71 Figure 1. A micrograph of chitosan-based.png

Figure 1. A micrograph of chitosan-based matrix was obtained employing Carl Zeiss Supra 55 VP microscopy, magnification 500X. Micrographs (HC. 500X) of chitosan A and B-based membranes were obtained with a Carl Zeiss Supra 55 VP scanning electron microscope

Micrographs A and B are made by P. Popryadukhin
To produce porous membranes, we purchased Chitosan from Fluka Chemie, BioChemika line (molecular mass, 255 kD, deacetylation degree, 80%; ash content, 0.5%). Porous 3-D matrices were obtained by lyophilization of chitosan solution by means of Heto-Holten PowerDry PL9000 -50 device. Before drying, chitosan was dissolved in 2% aqueous solution of acetic acid, at 4 wt%. Th e solvent sublimation in the lyophilizer proceeded for 48 hours. As seen in Fig. 1, pores in the chitosan matrices look like channels, with the diameter of 100 to 150 nm [4].
Th e in vivo experiments with porous chitosan membranes were carried out in rabbits (n=10). Experimental studies were scheduled and performed according to the Guidelines from the Order No.1179 of 10.10.1983, and No.267 of 19.06.2003 issued by the Russian Ministry of Healtcare, European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientifi c Purposes (Strasbourg, 1986), as well as with World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (1996).
Table 2 presents the design of experimental study. All surgical interventions proceeded under identical conditions. Th e surgical manipulations were performed under general anesthesia, i.e., Zoletil100, 0.1 mL, and Rometerum (20 mg/mL), 0.0125 mL intravenously.
Two diff erent surgical procedures were performed in rabbits under sterile conditions, aiming for studies of chitosan matrix biocompatibility with adjacent tissues. The surgery was performed in extraoral mode. The operation field was prepared in the right maxillar area. A 5-cm incision was made in maxillar projection, while dissecting the tissue in sharp or blunt way. Aft er accessing the maxilla, an artifi cial bone defect was inflicted, then overlaid by the tested material. Blood coagulation was controlled, and the wound was closed with suture materials layer-by-layer and treated by a tincture of iodine.
Eight rabbits were subjected to the skin and soft tissue incision at the anterior lateral chest surface followed by a rib exposure and infl iction of a bone defect (10 to 12 mm long). The resulting cavity was filled with a biodegradable porous chitosan-based matrix.
Systemic antibacterial therapy was performed during early postsurgical period (3 days) using Gentamycin (single injections of 2.0 mL daily for 3 days). After surgical procedures, the rabbits were placed to individual cages. Th e animals had free access to water and standard diet, being regularly observed. The animals were kept out of experiment, according to the schedule (1 to 6 months aft er the surgical intervention), followed by histological studies of gums and ribs, i.e., the areas of artifi cial bone defects with introduced synthetic materials.

Results

Three months aft er surgery, histological assessment of gingival tissues did not reveal any pathological changes of oral mucosa; the multilayer fl at non-squamous epithelium and underlying connective tissue did not show any signs of inflammatory response (Fig. 2).

Table 2. Experimental study design

66-71 Table 2. Experimental study design.png
Morphological examination of artifi cially damaged ribs with implanted material has revealed multi-component changes of bone tissue and porous matrix. Morphological analysis of the matrix/bone border area has shown a lot of osteoclasts at the site of bone defect 30 days aft er surgery (Fig. 3)
Fibrous connective tissue penetrated by blood vessels is developing between the bone structures and porous template. The matrix is repopulated by fi broblasts and macrophages from local blood vessels and connective tissue, as well as from the developing periosteal layer. The entire porous matrix is occupied by connective tissue cells by 30 days of experiment. The intra-matrix fi broblasts are actively producing intercellular components of connective tissue. Due to biodegradation of the matrix and phagocytic activity of macrophages, the microcavities are formed which become larger than initial pores. Hence, the matrix pores and newly developing cavities become surrounded by connective tissue structures containing big amounts of collagen fi bers and cell composition typical to the fi brous connective tissue. Moreover, the implant areas adjacent to newly formed periosteum, are more rich in connective tissue, as compared to the more centrally located matrix sites containing only fi broblasts and macrophages. Any signs of infl ammatory reaction are observed in connective tissue around the matrix, in developing periosteum, or matrix itself. Th e porous template is invaded by the blood vessels, and loose connective tissue also develops around them. Arteries and veins are detectable both in central and peripheral areas of the porous matrix. Perivascular cells are invading the matrix, along with connective tissue and vessels [4].
Morphological study of the bone/matrix at 3 months post-surgery has shown the entirely organized periosteum consisting of loose connective tissue and dense fi brous tissue. Over this period, the coarse-fi bred connective tissue further expands and fi lls the bone defect. As a next step of bone regeneration, the coarse-fi bred bone tissue and connective tissue periosteum are formed at the 4th month of experiment. At 6 months, the coarse-fibred bone tissue is replaced by a lamellar bone structure. By this term, the regenerating bone has the entirely formed periost represented by loose fibrous and coarse-fi bred connective tissue. The latter is gradually replaced by lamellar bone tissue. However, the repair osteogenesis seems to be incomplete due to predominating coarse-fibred bone tissue. Osteons with narrow Haversian canals are observed in the developing lamellar bone structures.
66-71 Figure 2-3.png

Conclusion

In the course of experimental study, the porous chitosan matrix proved to be biocompatible, bioinert, and bioresorbable material, thus meeting the requirements applicable to the materials suitable for production of the bone matrices. Th ese properties determine some unique characteristics of chitosan, thus enabling its applications in various areas of medicine, especially in dentistry, when performing surgical treatment for infl ammatory periodontal diseases.

Acknowledgements

We are much appreciated to Vladimir E. Yudin and Irina P. Dobrovolskaya for assisting in preparation of this article.

Conflict of interests

The authors have no confl icts of interests to declare.

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Volume 7, Number 4
12/27/2018 04:01:00 pm

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doi 10.18620/ctt-1866-8836-2018-7-4-66-71

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