Gamma irradiation, an appropriate method for sterilization of the fibrin membrane while maintaining its biocompatibility characteristics

Tissue engineering as a potential method was developed for the repair of tissue damages. The basic prerequisite for tissue engineering is in vitro growth and proliferation of cells on the scaffolds. One of the important new biomaterials that was introduced in 2006 by Choukroun and colleagues is fibrin membrane and now is only used as an autologous biomaterial. However, the use of fibrin as allogeneic membrane due to the risk of transmission of viral and bacterial diseases is very limited. Perhaps the decontamination of fibrin membranes be a key solution to overcome the limitations of its application in tissue engineering.
In this experimental study, fibrin membranes prepared of FFP by three methods were decontaminated. Cell viability and toxicity of 3T3 fibroblast cell on membranes of fibrin that was decontaminated were evaluated by MTT assay. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using Paired-Sample t-test.
In case of both decontaminated and contaminated fibrin membranes, the survival of fibroblast cells 24 and 48 hours after exposure to the membrane increased significantly (P>0.01); however, 72 hours after exposure, the proliferation reduced and there were evidence of cells apoptosis.
Conclusions : Based on these findings it can be concluded that Fibrin membranes by providing an appropriate background and releasing growth factors enhance the proliferative potential and increased survival of the cells. This feature is not affected by the decontamination methods of fibrin membranes.