Development of a unique crosslinked glycosaminoglycan for soft tissue repair: Treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

Chemical modification of naturally derived glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) expands their potential utility for applications in soft tissue repair and regenerative medicine. Here we report the preparation of a novel crosslinked chondroitin sulfate (~200 to 2000 kilodaltons) that is both soluble in aqueous solution and microfilterable. We refer to these materials as "SuperGAGs.

Clearance kinetics of a hylan-based viscosupplement after intra-articular and intravenous administration in animal models.

Clearance of hylan fluid and hylan gel, components of the hyaluronan (HA)-derived viscosupplement hylan G-F 20, following intra-articular injection into normal, healthy rabbits was evaluated. Radiolabeled hylan G-F 20 was injected at a volume of 0.3 mL into both knee joints of 12 rabbits.

Polyanionic polysaccharides reduce intra-abdominal adhesion and abscess formation in a rat peritonitis model.

Background: Intra-abdominal infection is complicated by adhesion and abscess formation. We have assessed the adhesion- and abscess-reducing capacity of various solution volumes and concentrations of two polyanionic polysaccharides, hyaluronan (HA) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), in a rat peritonitis model.

Study Design: In 192 male Wistar rats a bacterial peritonitis was induced using cecal ligation and puncture.

Removal of necrotic tissue with an ananain-based enzyme-debriding preparation.

An enzymatic debriding preparation was formulated with purified enzyme derived from a crude pineapple stem extract. The primary component of this preparation was the sulfhydryl protease ananain which represented >/=85% of the proteolytic activity. The remaining proteolytic activity in the preparation was contributed by a co-purifying homologous cysteine protease comosain.

Debridement of porcine burns with a highly purified, ananain-based cysteine protease preparation.

A novel enzymatic debriding agent was evaluated on experimental full-thickness porcine contact burns. This agent consists of a highly purified, ananain-based, cysteine protease preparation formulated in a hydrophilic cream vehicle. Debridement of full-thickness burns was found to be dependent on several factors including the concentration of enzyme in the vehicle, the duration of treatment, and the hydration status of the burn wound before treatment.