Type I Collagen-chitosan Membranes Crosslinked Chemically with N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N’-ethylcarbodiimide Hydrochloride for Guided Bone Regeneration: A Comparative Study

In this work, chemical crosslinking with N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N’-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) was studied in type I collagen-chitosan (Col I-CS) membranes for their use in guided bone regeneration (GBR). The membranes were prepared in a wide range of Col I-CS proportions, produced in the form of films by the solvent evaporation technique and crosslinked with EDC. The membranes presented a rough surface that is adequate for cell adhesion and a compact cross-section to prevent some infiltration of unwanted cell tissues, according to scanning electron microscopy. The physicochemical characterization (thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, uniaxial tensile test and in vitro degradation) showed that the crosslinked membranes are more resistant to dehydration, tensile strength and enzymatic digestion. The biological assays (adhesion, viability and morphology of cells) using human fetal osteoblasts (hFOB) indicated that the crosslinked membranes are not cytotoxic. Therefore, the chemical crosslinking with EDC improves the physicochemical properties of the membranes without affecting their biocompatibility, indicating that this type of membranes is a potential alternative to be used in GBR. In addition, this study also allowed to know the best type of crosslinked membranes, as a proposal for its application in GBR strategies.