Bacterial cellulose biomaterials for the treatment of lower limb ulcers.

Chronic ulcers of the lower limbs are common and recurrent, especially in the elderly population, they are disabling injuries that generate a great socioeconomic burden. This scenario encourages the development of new, low-cost therapeutic alternatives. The present study aims to describe the use of bacterial cellulose in the treatment of lower limb ulcers. This is an integrative literature review, carried out in the PubMed and Science Direct databases by associating the descriptors, with the inclusion criteria being clinical studies in the last 5 years, available in full in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Five clinical trials were analyzed and the main therapeutic effects obtained in the experimental groups that used bacterial cellulose dressings were a reduction in the area of the wounds, one of the studies showed a reduction of 44.18cm2 in the area of the wound, the initial lesions measured on average 89.46cm2 and at the end of the follow-up, they had an average of 45.28cm2, since the reduction in pain and the decrease in the number of exchanges were advantages described in all groups that used the BS. It is concluded that BC dressings are an alternative for the treatment of lower limb ulcers, their use also reduces operational costs related to the treatment of ulcers.

Bacterial cellulose biomaterials for the treatment of lower limb ulcers / Biomateriais de celulose bacteriana para o tratamento de úlceras de membros inferiores

ABSTRACT Chronic ulcers of the lower limbs are common and recurrent, especially in the elderly population, they are disabling injuries that generate a great socioeconomic burden. This scenario encourages the development of new, low-cost therapeutic alternatives. The present study aims to describe the use of bacterial cellulose in the treatment of lower limb ulcers. This is an integrative literature review, carried out in the PubMed and Science Direct databases by associating the descriptors, with the inclusion criteria being clinical studies in the last 5 years, available in full in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Five clinical trials were analyzed and the main therapeutic effects obtained in the experimental groups that used bacterial cellulose dressings were a reduction in the area of the wounds, one of the studies showed a reduction of 44.18cm2 in the area of the wound, the initial lesions measured on average 89.46cm2 and at the end of the follow-up, they had an average of 45.28cm2, since the reduction in pain and the decrease in the number of exchanges were advantages described in all groups that used the BS. It is concluded that BC dressings are an alternative for the treatment of lower limb ulcers, their use also reduces operational costs related to the treatment of ulcers.

RESUMO As úlceras crônicas de membros inferiores são comuns e recorrentes principalmente na população idosa, são lesões incapacitantes e que geram grande ônus socioeconômico. Tal cenário incentiva o desenvolvimento de novas alternativas terapêuticas e de baixo custo. O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever o uso da celulose bacteriana no tratamento de úlceras de membros inferiores. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada nas bases de dados PubMed e Science Direct por meio da associação dos descritores, tendo como critério de inclusão estudos clínicos nos últimos 5 anos, disponíveis na integra em inglês, português e espanhol. Cinco ensaios clínicos foram analisados e os principais efeitos terapêuticos obtidos nos grupos experimentais que utilizaram os curativos de celulose bacteriana foram redução da área das feridas, um dos estudos apontou uma redução de 44,18cm2 da área da ferida, as lesões iniciais mediam em média 89,46cm2 e ao término do acompanhamento apresentaram uma média de 45,28cm2, já a redução da dor e diminuição do número de trocas foram vantagens descritas em todos os grupos que utilizaram a CB. Conclui-se que os curativos de CB são uma alternativa para o tratamento das úlceras de MMII, sua utilização reduz também os custos operacionais relacionados ao tratamento de úlceras.

Curativo de celulose bacteriana para o tratamento de lesões por pressão em pacientes hospitalizados / Dressing of bacterial cellulose for the treatment of pressure injuries in hospitalized patients

Objetivou-se monitorar a evolução do processo cicatricial das lesões por pressão (LP) em pacientes hospitalizados em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), a partir da aplicação da cobertura de celulose bacteriana (CB). Trata-se de uma série de casos, amostra constituída por 10 pacientes internados na UTI. Foram excluídos crianças, adolescentes, e pacientes com outros tipos de lesões de pele. Foram aplicadas as escalas preditivas de Braden e a de MEASURE. Realizado monitoramento fotográfico pelo programa MOWA®. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida no setor de terapia intensiva de um hospital universitário em Recife, Pernambuco. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo feminino (60%), com média de idade de 60±12anos. Quanto as comorbidades, 3 pacientes apresentavam diabetes mellitus (DM), 2 hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), 3 DM e HAS e 2 negaram doença crônica. Sete pacientes foram acompanhados por 30 dias, em média. O risco avaliado pela escala de Braden foi de 9,66. As LP localizavam-se na região sacral, com área média de 84,48cm2 à avaliação inicial. Após 30 dias de acompanhamento observou-se redução da área média das LP (-14,7cm²). A CB funcionou como barreira física e indutor do remodelamento tecidual

The objective of this study was to monitor the evolution of the cicatricial process of pressure lesions (LP) in patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (ICU), from the application of bacterial cellulose (CB) coverage. This is a series of cases, a sample consisting of 10 patients hospitalized in the ICU. Children, adolescents, and patients with other types of skin lesions were excluded. Predictive scales of Braden and MEASURE were applied. Photographic monitoring carried out by the MOWA® program. The research was developed in the intensive care sector of a university hospital in Recife, Pernambuco. The majority of the patients were female (60%), with a mean age of 60 ± 12 years. As for comorbidities, 3 patients had diabetes mellitus (DM), 2 systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), 3 DM and SAH and 2 denied chronic disease. Seven patients were followed for 30 days, on average. The risk assessed by the Braden scale was 9.66. LPs were located in the sacral region, with a mean area of 84.48 cm2 at the initial evaluation. After 30 days of follow-up, we observed a reduction in the mean area of LP (-14.7 cm²). CB worked as a physical barrier and inducer of tissue remodeling

Effects of bacterial cellulose gel on the anorectal resting pressures in rats submitted to anal sphincter injury.

The aim of this study is to evaluate if a gel of bacterial cellulose gel can revert the loss of anal resting pressure after anorectum sphincter injury in rat model, elected as a model to simulate fecal incontinence. Thirty-nine animals were equally divided into three groups: Control (CG), Sphincter injury plus Saline injection (SG) and Sphincter injury plus Bacterial Cellulose Gel injection (BCG). Anal pressure at rest was assessed for all animal in the three groups using anorectum manometry. Saline and Gel groups were subject to anorectum sphincter injury to reduce the anal pressure at rest. Fifteen days later Saline or Gel was injected into the anorectum, according to their groups. Sixty days later first manometry, the anorectum of all animals were removed and processed histologically. The CG group showed maintenance of their mean anorectal resting pressure levels; SG presented a fall in their mean anorectal resting pressure. The BCG presented a significant elevation of the mean anorectal resting pressure levels, surpassing the pressure of CG. The gel of bacterial cellulose remained at the injection site and was neovascularized, colonized by fibroblasts and dense conjunctive tissue. Those data suggest that BC can be used as a future filling agent treatment for fecal incontinence in clinical trial protocols.

A new material to prevent urethral damage after implantation of artificial devices: an experimental study

ABSTRACT Objective To validate the application of the bacterial cellulose (BC) membrane as a protecting barrier to the urethra. Materials and Methods Forty female Wistar rats (four groups of 10): Group 1 (sham), the urethra was dissected as in previous groups and nothing applied around; Group 2, received a 0.7cm strip of the BC applied around the urethra just below the bladder neck; Group 3, received a silicon strip with the same dimensions as in group 2; Group 4, had a combination of 2 and 3 groups being the silicon strip applied over the cellulosic material. Half of the animals in each group were killed at 4 and 8 months. Bladder and urethra were fixed in formalin for histological analysis. Results Inflammatory infiltrates were more intense at 4 months at lymphonodes (80% Grade 2), statistically different in the group 2 compared with groups 1 (p=0.0044) and 3 (p=0.0154). At 8 months, all samples were classified as grade 1 indicating a less intense inflammatory reaction in all groups. In group 2, at 8 months, there was a reduction in epithelial thickness (30±1μm) when com-pared to groups 1 (p=0.0001) and 3 (p<0.0001). Angiogenesis was present in groups 2 and 4 and absent in group 3. In BC implant, at 4 and 8 months, it was significant when comparing groups 4 with 1 (p=0.0159). Conclusion BC membrane was well integrated to the urethral wall promoting tissue remodeling and strengthening based on morphometric and histological results and may be a future option to prevent urethral damage.

Biocompatible bacterial cellulose membrane in dural defect repair of rat.

Duraplasty is necessary in nearly 30% of all neurological surgeries. Different tissues and materials have been evaluated in dura mater repair or as dural substitutes in neurosurgery. The aim was to evaluate the biocompatibility of the bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes, produced from sugarcane molasses, for dural defect repair in rats. Forty adults males Wistar rats divided into two groups: a control (ePTFE) and an experimental (BC). Bilateral frontoparietal craniectomy was performed, and a dural defect was created. The arachnoid underlying defect was disrupted with a narrow hook. The animals were observed for 120 days. There were no cases of infection, cerebrospinal fluid fistulae, delayed hemorrhages, behavior disturbances, seizures and palsies. The BC membrane showed to have suitable biocompatibility properties, was not induced immune reaction, nor chronic inflammatory response and absence of neurotoxicity signals.

A new material to prevent urethral damage after implantation of artificial devices: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the application of the bacterial cellulose (BC) membrane as a protecting bar-rier to the urethra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty female Wistar rats (four groups of 10): Group 1 (sham), the urethra was dissected as in previous groups and nothing applied around; Group 2, received a 0.7cm strip of the BC applied around the urethra just below the bladder neck; Group 3, received a silicon strip with the same dimensions as in group 2; Group 4, had a combination of 2 and 3 groups being the silicon strip applied over the cellulosic material. Half of the animals in each group were killed at 4 and 8 months. Bladder and urethra were fixed in formalin for histological analysis. RESULTS: Inflammatory infiltrates were more intense at 4 months at lymphonodes (80% Grade 2), statistically different in the group 2 compared with groups 1 (p=0.0044) and 3 (p=0.0154). At 8 months, all samples were classified as grade 1 indicating a less intense inflammatory reaction in all groups. In group 2, at 8 months, there was a reduction in epithelial thickness (30±1µm) when com-pared to groups 1 (p=0.0001) and 3 (p<0.0001). Angiogenesis was present in groups 2 and 4 and absent in group 3. In BC implant, at 4 and 8 months, it was significant when comparing groups 4 with 1 (p=0.0159). CONCLUSION: BC membrane was well integrated to the urethral wall promoting tissue remodeling and strengthening based on morphometric and histological results and may be a future option to prevent urethral damage.