In Vivo Biocompatibility of Non-derivatized Cellulose Regenerated Using Ionic Liquids

• Published in: Journal of polymers and the environment 2023-04, Vol.31 (4), p.1335-1350
• Main Authors: Gould, Maree L., Ratnayake, Jithendra T. B., Ramesh, Niranjan, Powlay, Tom J., Curnow, Owen J., Staiger, Mark P., Dias, George J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Caustic soda; Cellulose; Cellulose fibers; Chemical bonds; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Collagen; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Fibers; Fibroblasts; Granulation; In vivo methods and tests; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Ionic liquids; Ions; Keratin; Materials Science; Original Paper; Polymer Sciences; Rayon; Resins; Sodium hydroxide; Surgical implants; Toluidine; Toluidine blue; Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
• ISSN: 1566-2543; 1572-8919
• DOI: 10.1007/s10924-022-02640-w

The behaviour of regenerated cellulose composites produced from rayon (Cordenka™), dissolved using either ionic liquids or sodium hydroxide (common cellulose solvent) was investigated to determine in vivo biocompatibility. Cellulose-dissolving ionic liquids (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, and four triaminocyclopropenium cation salts) and sodium hydroxide were examined in vitro using rat fibroblast-like cells to determine the most cytocompatible ionic liquid. The selected ionic liquid and sodium hydroxide were used to prepare regenerated cellulose constructs. The prepared cellulose constructs and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene controls were implanted subcutaneously into adult male Sprague–Dawley rats. Post-surgery, implants were processed into a resin. Degradation properties were determined, and morphometric analysis was performed on resin sections stained with Haematoxylin & Eosin, Toluidine blue and Verhoeff’s van Giessen. The implants presented excellent biocompatibility. However, the cellulose implants showed a rapid infiltration of several mature fibroblasts and collagen fibres. A steady increase was observed in the granulation tissue ingrowth between the cellulose fibres by 14 days, increasing a further 35% by 28 days. This study indicates that non-derivatized cellulose regenerated using ionic liquids has the potential to be used as a biocompatible alternative to proteinaceous biomaterials like keratin for biomedical applications.