• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1729-1734
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• 2008

Chitosan, a cationic polysaccharide, has been widely used as a dietary supplement and in a variety of pharmacological and biomedical applications. The antifungal activity and mechanism of action of low molecular weight water-soluble chitosan (LMWS-chitosan) were studied in fungal cells and vesicles containing various compositions of fungal lipids. LMWS-chitosan showed strong antifungal activity against various pathogenic yeasts and hyphae-forming fungi but no hemolytic activity or cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. The degree of calcein leakage was assessed on the basis of lipid composition (PC/CH; 10:1, w/w). Our result showing that LMWS-chitosan interacts with liposomes demonstrated that chitosan induces leakage from zwitterionic lipid vesicles. Confocal microscopy revealed that LMWS-chitosan was located in the plasma membrane. Finally, scanning electron microscopy revealed that LMWS-chitosan causes significant morphological changes on fungal surfaces. Its potent antibiotic activity suggests that LMWS-chitosan is an excellent candidate as a lead compound for the development of novel anti-infective agents.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.624-629
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• 1994

Chitosan-g-poly(4-vinyl pyridine)membranes were prepared by crosslinking reaction using glutaraldehyde and glucose oxidase immobilized chitosan/acrylamide composite membranes were fabricated by chitosan-g-poly(4-vinyl-pyridine) copolymer and acrylamine. Water content and permeability of insulin through chitosan-g-poly(4-vinyl pyridine )membranes increased with decreasing the pH of the medium. Permeability of insulin through chitosan/acrylamide composite membranes increased with increasing the concentration of glucose.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.247-251
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• 1999

In spite of various bio-functionalities of chitosan, the effects in vivo were still ambiguous because of its low absorption on organism. Therefore, chitosan oligosaccharides (COSs) are necessary to elucidate for an efficient utilization in vivo. COSs were prepared from chitosan using ultrafiltration membrane enzymatic reactor system with MWCO (molecular weight cut-off) 3,000 Da of membrane. Calcium absorption accelerating effect using COSs was examined by two methods, in vitro and in vivo. In vitro experiment, calcium absorption by the addition of COSs in a mixture solution of calcium and phosphate was higher approximately $50\%$ than that by control. In vivo using rats, group taken the diet contained $1\%$ COSs anil calcium chloride decreased about $75\%$ of calcium content excreted from feces, and then, showed about $15\%$ increase in breaking force of femur. These results demonstrated that COSs definitely involved in calcium metabolism in vivo.

• Proceedings of the Membrane Society of Korea Conference
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• 1999.10b
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• pp.45-48
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• 1999

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.309-315
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• 2003

Renal dipeptidase (RDPase, membrane dipeptidase, dehydropeptidase 1, EC 3.4.13.19) has been widely studied since it was first purified from porcine kidney brush border membrane. It was reported that RDPase activity in urine samples of acute and chronic renal failure patients decreases. Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly reactive free radical involved in a number of physiological and pathological processes. NO is able to act in a dual mode, leading either to induction of apoptosis or to blunted execution of programmed cell death. NO inhibited the RDPase release from porcine renal proximal tubules, which could be blocked by L-NAME. Chitosan, the linear polymer of D-glucosamine in $\beta$(1\longrightarrow4) linkage, not only reversed the decreased RDPase release by NO but also increased NO production in the proximal tubule cells. The stimulatory effect of NO on RDPase release from proximal tubules in the presence of chitosan must be different from the previously proposed mechanism of RDPase release via NO signaling pathway. Chitosan stimulated the RDPase release in the proximal tubules and increased RDPase activity to 220% and 250% at 0.1% and 1%, respectively. RDPase release was decreased to about 40% in the injured proximal tubules and was recovered in proportion to the increase of chitosan. Chitosan may be useful in recovery of renal function from $HgCl_2$injury.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.1019-1037
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• 2005

The major goals of periodontal therapy are the functional regeneration of periodontal supporting structures already destructed by periodontal disease as well as the reduction of signs and symptoms of progressive periodontal disease. There have been many efforts to develop materials and therapeutic methods to promote periodontal wound healing. There have been increasing interest on the chitosan made by chtin. Chitosan is a derivative of chitin made by deacetylation of side chains. Chitosan has been widely studied as bone substitution and membrane material in periodontology. Many experiments using chitosan in various animal models have proven its beneficial effects. Tetracycline has been considered for use in the treatment of chronic periodontal disease and gingivitis. The aim of this study is to evlauate the osteogenesis of tetracycline blended chitosan membranes on the calvarial critical size defect in Sprague Dawley rats. An 8mm surgical defect was produced with a trephine bur in the area of the midsagittal suture. The rats were divided into five groups: Untreated control group versus four experimental group. Four types of membranes were made and comparative study was been done. Two types of non-woven membranes were made by immersing non-woven chitosan into either the tetracycline solution or chitosan-tetracycline solution. Other two types of sponge membranes were fabricated by immersing chitosan sponge into the tetracycline solution, and subsequent freeze-drying. The animals were sacrificed at 2 and 8 weeks after surgical procedure. The specimens were examined by histologic analyses. The results are as follows: 1. Clinically the use of tetracycline blended chitosan membrane showed great healing capacity. 2. The new bone formations of all the experimental group, non-woven and sponge type membranes were greater than those of control group. But, there was no significant difference between the experimental groups. 3. Resorption of chitosan membranes were not shown in any groups at 2 weeks and 8 weeks. These results suggest that the use of tetracycline blended chitosan membrane on the calvarial defects in rats has significant effect on the regeneration of bone tissue in itself. And it implicate that tetracycline blended chitosan membrane might be useful for guided tissue regeneration.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2005

Chitosan film has potential applications in agriculture, food, and pharmacy. However, films made only from chitosan lack gas barrier and have poor mechanical properties. For enhanced gas barrier and mechanical properties, chitosan/clay nanocomposites have been prepared with montmorillonite (MMT) which is a layered structure of clays and chitosan. The cationic biopolymer, chitosan is intercalated into $Na^+-montmorillonite$ through cationic exchange and hydrogen bonding process. Diluted acetic acid is used as solvent f3r dissolving and dispersing chitosan. Chitosan was intercalated or exfoliated in MMT and it was confirmed by X-ray diffraction method. D-spacing of the characteristic peak from MMT plate in chitosan/clay nanocomposites was moved and diminished. The thermal stability and the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites are measured by TGA and Universal Testing Machine. Gas permeability through the chitosan/clay nanocomposites films decreased due to increased tortuosity made by intercalation of clay in chitosan.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2001

Alginate-chitosan (anion-cationic polymeric complex) was prepared to control the release rate of silver sulfadiazine (AgSD). Na-alginate (2%) solution containing AgSD was gelled in $CaCl_2$ solution. The gel beads formed were immediately encapsulated with chitosan (CS). The gel matrix and membrane were then reinforced with chondroitin-6-sulfate (Ch6S). Release rate of AgSD from the gel matrix was investigated by placing alginate beads in the sac of cellulose membrane simmered in HEPES-buffer solution. The concentration of AgSD released was analyzed by UV at 264 nm. Incorporation capacity of AgSD in Ca-alginate gel was more than 90%. Alginate-Ch6S-CS could control the release rate of AgSD. The amount of AgSD release was dependent on the AgSD loading dose. Incorporation of tripolyphosphate (polyanionic crosslinker) onto the alginate-Ch6S-CS bead increased the release rate of AgSD. Collagen-coating had no influence on the AgSD release rate. Alginate-Ch6S-CS beads with a sufficiently high AgSD encapsulation were capable of controlling the release of the drug over 10 days. In summary, alginate-Ch6S-CS beads could be used as a sustained delivery for AgSD and provide local targeting with low silver toxicity and patient discomfort.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.265-279
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• 1997

This study aims to demonstrate the effect of chitosan, one of the natural chelator, on the ultrastructural changes in the mouse liver caused by cadmium. A total of 60 healthy ICR that weighted 30 gm $({\pm}2gm)$ was used for experiment. The experimental group was divided into three groups; group A, B, and C. The group A and B administrated cadmium (4.0 mg/kg) to the intraperitoneal after pretreated with chitosan (0.5% solution) for 30 and 7 days, respectively. Each group was observed at 12, 24, 48, 72 hours and one week after injected cadmium. The results were as follows: 1. Group A The nuclear membrane and the chromatin were normal shapes at overall the time. The inner and outer membranes of the mitochondria damaged a little but almost normal in shapes. And electron-density showed slightly compacted. some enlarged rER (rough endoplasmic reticulum) showed at 12 hours. At 48 hours, typical lamellae of the rER were reformed, and a lot of transvesicles observed around them. To 48 hours, sER (smooth endoplasmic reticulum) was slightly dilated. From 72 hours, sER rehalizated in normal shape. 2. Group B Nuclear membranes were rounded-shape and chromatin showed evenly. To 72 hours, a lot of mitochondria observed around rER and development of cristae showed weakly. But at one week, cristae were clear and electron-density of matrix showed high. At 72 hours lamellae of rER showed some broken, but were reformed at one week. Also at one week, glycogen granules evenly showed over cytoplasm. 3. Group C At 12 hours, Nucleus showed the condensation of nuclear membrane and clear condensation at 24 hours. However, nuclear membrane had a slightly rounded-shape from 72 hours. From 12 hours to the one week, mitochondria showed the dilation of inner cavity and weak development of cristae. Also electron-density of matrix was a little low. Occasionally, destruction of inner and outer membrane observed at one week. The dilation of cisternae and destruction of lamellae of rER showed from 12 to 48 hours. From 72 hours, rER showed slightly dilated only. And lamella observed at one week. In sER, dilation of inner cavity was observed during whole period. These results suggest that chitosan attenuates the toxic effect of the cadmium in the mouse liver.

• 대한치주과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.163-164
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• 2005