There is an urgent need for treatments for
hydrofluoric acid (HF)
burns and their derivative problems that prevent
hydrogen ion dissociation and
fluoride ion binding to tissues. This study evaluated the ability of
chitosan-based
hydrogels combined with a
buffer solution containing either
boric acid or Tris and
calcium gluconate (CHS-BA-CG and CHS-Tris-CG) to repair HF
burn wounds and prevent
wound infections. We assessed
calcium release rates and biocompatability and constructed a mouse HF
burn model to assess the tissue repair effects of the
hydrogels. Finally, we performed disc diffusion tests from
burn tissue and quantified the bacterial counts to assess the anti-
infection properties of the
hydrogels.
Calcium was gradually released in the CHS-BA-CG and CHS-Tris-CG groups (73% and 43%, respectively, after 48 h). The cell viabilities at 48 h after HF
burn in these groups were significantly higher than those in the
phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and CG-treated groups. Histopathological evaluation showed a clear boundary between the epidermal and dermal layers in both CHS-BA-CG and CHS-Tris-CG-treated groups, indicating their effectiveness in tissue repair. In the disc diffusion test, CHS-BA-CG and CHS-Tris-CG exhibited larger inhibition zones against Acinetobacter baumannii than those for PBS and CG. The bacterial counts on HF
burn wounds were significantly lower in the CHS-BA-CG and CHS-Tris-CG-treated groups than those in the PBS and CG-treated groups. The in vitro studies demonstrated the biocompatibility and antimicrobial effects of the CHS-BA-CG and CHS-Tris-CG
hydrogels. Both
gels also demonstrated tissue repair and anti-
infection effects. Thus,
chitosan-based
hydrogels may be candidates for HF
burn therapy.