Influence of glycosaminoglycans on the properties of thin films based on chitosan/collagen blends.

Thin films based on chitosan, collagen, and glycosaminoglycans isolated from fish skin were obtained by solvent evaporation. The films were characterized by different analyses, e.g. surface free energy determination, swelling tests, roughness, mechanical and thermal measurements. Moreover, the degradation studies were carried out by the film treatment with collagenase. The results showed that the properties of the films based on chitosan and collagen can be modified by the glycosaminoglycans addition. It was noticed that the addition of glycosaminoglycans enhances the surface hydrophilicity and reduces surface free energy. Surfaces of films modified by glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) show more roughness which inhibits the risk of biofilm formation. The highest films swelling was obtained after 2 h immersion in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). After their immersion in PBS, the films were more elastic, which was assumed on the basis of the elongation at break values higher than in the case of films on a dry surface. The proposed films can create biocompatible coatings for biomedical applications.

Is dialdehyde starch a valuable cross-linking agent for collagen/elastin based materials?

Collagen and elastin are the main structural proteins in mammal bodies. They provide mechanical support, strength, and elasticity to various organs and tissues, e.g. skin, tendons, arteries, and bones. They are readily available, biodegradable, biocompatible and they stimulate cell growth. The physicochemical properties of collagen and elastin-based materials can be modified by cross-linking. Glutaraldehyde is one of the most efficient cross-linking agents. However, the unreacted molecules can be released from the material and cause cytotoxic reactions. Thus, the aim of our work was to investigate the influence of a safer, macromolecular cross-linking agent--dialdehyde starch (DAS). The properties of hydrogels based on collagen/elastin mixtures (95/5, 90/10) containing 5 and 10% of DAS and neutralized via dialysis against deionized water were tested. The homogenous, transparent, stiff hydrogels were obtained. The DAS addition causes the formation of intermolecular cross-linking bonds but does not affect the secondary structure of the proteins. As a result, the thermal stability, mechanical strength, and, surprisingly, swelling ability increased. At the same time, the surface properties test and in vitro study show that the materials are attractive for 3T3 cells. Moreover, the materials containing 10% of DAS are more resistant to enzymatic degradation.

Collagen/elastin hydrogels cross-linked by squaric acid.

Hydrogels based on collagen and elastin are very valuable materials for medicine and tissue engineering. They are biocompatible; however their mechanical properties and resistance for enzymatic degradation need to be improved by cross-linking. Up to this point many reagents have been tested but more secure reactants are still sought. Squaric acid (SqAc), 3,4-dihydroxy 3-cyclobutene 1,2-dione, is a strong, cyclic acid, which reacts easily with amine groups. The properties of hydrogels based on collagen/elastin mixtures (95/5, 90/10) containing 5%, 10% and 20% of SqAc and neutralized via dialysis against deionized water were tested. Cross-linked, 3-D, transparent hydrogels were created. The cross-linked materials are stiffer and more resistant to enzymatic degradation than those that are unmodified. The pore size, swelling ability and surface polarity are reduced due to 5% and 10% of SqAc addition. At the same time, the cellular response is not significantly affected by the cross-linking. Therefore, squaric acid would be regarded as a safe, effective cross-linking agent.

Northern pike (Esox lucius) collagen: Extraction, characterization and potential application.

Acid soluble collagen (ASC) and pepsin soluble collagen (PSC) from the scales of northern pike (Esox lucius) were extracted and characterized. It was the first time that this species was used as sources of collagen. FT-IR and amino acid analysis results revealed the presence of collagen. Glycine accounts for one-third of its amino acid residues and specific for collagen amino acid - hydroxyproline - is present in isolated protein. The content of imino acid: proline and hydroxyproline in ASC and PSC was similar (12.5% Pro and 6.5% Hyp). Both ASC and PSC were type I collagen. The denaturation temperature of ASC and PSC were 28.5 and 27°C, respectively. Thin collagen films were obtained by casting of collagen solution onto glass plates. The surface properties of ASC and PSC films were different - the surface of ASC collagen film was more polar and less rough than PSC and we can observe the formation of collagen fibrils after solvent evaporation. ASC films showed much higher tensile properties than PSC. The obtained results suggest that northern pike scales have potential as an alternative source of collagen for use in various fields.

Photochemical behaviour of hydrolysed keratin.

An investigation into the influence of UV irradiation on keratin hydrolysates was carried out using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and fluorescence spectroscopy. It was found that the absorption of keratin hydrolysates in solution increased during irradiation of the sample, most notably between 250-280 and 320-410 nm. The increase in absorbance in the region 320-410 was because of the new photoproducts formed during UV irradiation of keratin hydrolysates. The fluorescence of keratin hydrolysates was observed at 328 nm after excitation at 270 nm. UV irradiation caused fluorescence fading at 328 nm, and after 60 min of irradiation, a new broad weak band of fluorescence, attributable to new photoproducts, emerged in the UV wavelength region with emission maximum between 400 and 500 nm. FTIR spectroscopy results showed degradation of keratin under UV irradiation. A slight increase in oxidized sulphur species was also observed. The results obtained suggest that UV irradiation can be used as modifying agent for preparation of keratin hydrolysates for cosmetic applications.

Chemical and thermal cross-linking of collagen and elastin hydrolysates.

Chemical and thermal cross-linking of collagen soluble in acetic acid and elastin hydrolysates soluble in water have been studied. Solutions of collagen and elastin hydrolysates were treated using variable concentrations of 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). Moreover, diepoxypropylether (DEPE) has been used as cross-linking agent. Films made of collagen and elastin hydrolysates were also treated with temperature at 60°C and 100°C to get additional cross-links. The effect of cross-linking has been studied using FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, AFM and SEM microscopy. Mechanical and surface properties of materials have been studied after cross-linking. It was found that thermal and mechanical properties of collagen and elastin materials have been altered after thermal treatment and after the reactions with EDC/NHS and/or DEPE. Surface properties of collagen materials after chemical cross-linking have been modified. Thermal and chemical cross-linking of collagen films lead to alteration of polarity of the surface.