IN VITRO OR IN VIVO GELFYING CHITOSAN AND THERAPEUTIC USES THEREOF

摘要

The present invention relates to composition,method and applications of loaded or unloadedChitosan-.beta.-Glycerophosphate hydrogels are proposed forcosmetic, medical and surgical applications. Solid.beta.-Glycerophosphate is added and dissolved at lowpositive temperature (10°C) within 0.5 to 3.0% w/vChitosan in aqueous acidic solutions. The aqueousChitosan-.beta.-Glycerophosphate solutions, initially stored at lowpositive temperatures, preferentially at 4°C, areendothermally gelated within the temperature range of30 to 60°C, preferentially at 37°C. The saidChitosan-.beta.-Glycerophosphate solution spontaneously transformsinto a gel at the desired gelation temperature.Gelation can be ex vivo within any receivers or molds, orin situ in animals or humans so as to fill a tissuedefect or cavity. Encapsulation of living cells orcellular matters is carried out by incorporating thesaid cells or cellular matters within the aqueousChitosan-.beta.-Glycerophosphate solution at a low positivetemperature (ideally at 4°C), then by gelating thecells loaded Chitosan-.beta.-Glycerophosphate solution atthe selected gelation temperature (ideally at 37°C).Chitosan-.beta.-Glycerophosphate hydrogels withoutencapsulated living cells are selected for surgicalreconstructive and regeneration uses and drug deliverypurposes. Chitosan-.beta.-Glycerophosphate with encapsulatedliving cells are applied to the culture and engineeringof artificial tissues as well as to the reconstructionof tissues. Engineering and regeneration ofarticular cartilage and cartilageous tissues aretargeted through the injection and in situ gelation orthe implantation of chondrogenic cells loaded inChitosan-.beta.-Glycerophosphate systems.