Effect of chitosan in primary rat calvarial cell

Kim, Jeong Kyung; Chung, Hyun Ju; Kim, Young Joon; Kim, Ok Su

Abstract

The effect of chitosan, a carbohydrate biopolymer extracted from chitin, on periodontal regeneration is of particular interest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chitosan on primary rat calvarial cells in vitro, with special focus on their proliferative properties by cell activity and the amount of total protein synthesis. The experimental groups were cultured with chitosan in concentration of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 mg/ml for MTT assay. In the experimental groups, cells were cultured with chitosan in concentration of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/ml. Each group was characterized by examining alkaline phosphatase activity at 3 and 7 days and the ability to produce mineralized nodules of rat calvarial cells at 14 and 21 days. The results were as follows: 1. The cell activity was not reduced in the concentration of 0.01~1.0 mg/ml whereas the cell activity was reduced in the concentration of 5.0 mg/ml than the control at day 1 and 3 (p<0.05). 2. Primary rat calvarial cells treated with chitosan in the concentration 0.01 mg/ml and 0.1 mg/ml showed more protein synthesis than the control at day 3 (p<0.01). But primary rat calvarial cells treated with chitosan showed more protein synthesis than in control but they didn't have statistically difference among groups at day 7. 3. At 3 and 7 days, alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly increased in the concentration of 0.01 mg/ml. 0.1 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml (p<0.05). 4. The percentage of mineralized bone nodule was more in the concentration of chitosan 0.1 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml than the control. These results suggested that chitosan has a positive effect on the bone formation of primary rat calvarial cells in the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml.