Effect of expanding nanocellulose sponge on nasal mucosal defects in an animal model

Nanocellulose has emerged for a wide range of applications in biomedical engineering because of its water absorption capacity, appropriate elasticity. We investigated the hemostatic and regenerative abilities of an expanding polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-nanocellulose sponge on nasal mucosal defects. A 3 mm-diameter nasal defect was made in experimental rabbits. Rabbits were divided into four groups with control, vaseline, PVA and PVA-nanocellulose packing groups. After the defect was created, bleeding times and amounts were monitored. Packing materials were removed on experimental day (ED) 2. On ED 3, 7 and 14, histological analysis and immunohistochemical study for neutrophils were performed. Inflammatory cells were counted and epithelial thicknesses were evaluated. Bleeding amounts and times in the vaseline packing group were smaller than in the PVA groups. PVA-nanocellulose group showed less neutrophils than in the other groups on ED 7. Average epithelium thickness in the PVA-nanocellulose group was significantly smaller than in the control group at ED 7, but at ED 14, there was no significant intergroup difference. PVA-nanocellulose group had a significant lower inflammatory cell count than the control group on ED 7. PVA-nanocellulose sponge applied to nasal mucosal defects can significantly enhance mucosal regeneration during early wound healing.