ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of different thermosensitive composite hydrogels from chitosan derivatives as scaffold materials for periodontal tissue engineering.MethodsThree chitosan derivatives with different biological characteristics were prepared, namely, sulfonated chitosan (SCS), phosphorylated chitosan (PCS), and phosphorylated sulfonated chitosan (PSCS). Three thermosensitive composite hydrogels were constructed using basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), the chitosan derivatives, and collagen. Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, blank group, bFGF/SCS/collagen composite thermosensitive hydrogel group, bFGF/PCS/collagen compo-site thermosensitive hydrogel group, and bFGF/PSCS/collagen composite thermosensitive hydrogel group. Then, three-wall intrabony defects were established. The defects were treated with the different kinds of thermosensitive composite hydrogels. After 6 weeks of surgery, the animals were killed, and specimens were collected. Then, gross observation, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and Masson staining were performed.ResultsThe bFGF/chitosan derivatives/collagen composite thermosensitive hydrogel groups and the control group had statistical differences in the relative alveolar bone height, relative epithelial down growth and grading count score of periodontal tissue regeneration (P<0 .05).ConclusionbFGF/chitosan derivatives/collagen composite thermosensitive hydrogels have good application prospects in periodontal tissue engineering.
