Immunological study of a chitosan prosthesis in the sciatic nerve regeneration of the axotomized dog.

This study demonstrated that when the regeneration of the axotomized sciatic nerve is induced through tubulization with chitosan, this biomaterial does not induce immunostimulation or immunodepression in the dog. Canine females were distributed among three groups: an intact control group which was only isolated, an axotomized control group, and an axotomized group which was tubulized with 3% chitosan prostheses. In vitro culture and phagocytosis tests, as well as IgG and IgM serum concentrations, were determined in peripheral blood on days 0, 15, 30 and 60. The results showed that chitosan implants did not importantly affect the immune response.