Biocompatible and Low-Cost Dura Mater Scaffold: Evaluation of Tilapia Skin Acellular Dermal Matrix in an Animal Model.

BACKGROUND

Scaffolds for dura mater repair have been widely used in neurosurgery. Over the past decades, various materials have been employed for the synthesis of these scaffolds, with collagen-based materials showing particularly promising results.

METHODS

An experimental study was conducted on 29 Wistar rats to evaluate the biocompatibility of a collagen scaffold derived from tilapia skin. The animals were divided into 3 groups: an experimental group (tilapia skin acellular dermal matrix [TS-ADM]), a positive control group (Duragen scaffold), and a negative control group (no scaffold). Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the structure of each scaffold. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to assess inflammation, scaffold integrity, and connective tissue formation.

RESULTS

The negative control group showed less inflammation than the Duragen and tilapia groups at 15 and 30 days (P = 0.011 and P = 0.035, respectively). By 45 days, the inflammatory process was similar across all the groups (P = 0.183). Connective tissue formation was observed in both the tilapia and Duragen groups, with complete biodegradation of the scaffolds by 45 days.

CONCLUSIONS

TS-ADM exhibited a self-limiting inflammatory response, biodegradability, and replacement by functional connective tissue. Human studies are necessary to validate this new biomaterial for clinical use.