The Application of Oxygen Generating Keratin/Silk Fibroin for Urethral Reconstruction: A Preliminary Study

The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and feasibility of using oxygen generating keratin/silk fibroin for the urethroplasty in animal model. The scaffold were manufactured by blending the keratin, silk fibroin, gelatin and calcium peroxide (CPO) in certain concentration. The scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), MTT assay, oxygen releasing test were performed in order to evaluate the characters of scaffold in vitro. Then, the scaffold was used for repairing the urethral defection in rabbit model. The SEM showed typical core–shell particles, embedded into the scaffold. The cytotoxicity assessments showed non-cytotoxicity of scaffold. The oxygen releasing test exhibited that scaffold could release oxygen for at least 2 weeks. Three months after implantation, the study group showed the patent urethra lumen by urthrography, while obvious fistula was noticed in the control group. In histological examination, intact epithelial layers, organized muscle bundles could be observed in the study group. However, only discontinuous epithelial layer was seen near the implanted area and no muscle bundles were revealed in the control group. At the end of 6 months, similar results were found in those groups. Our study demonstrated that oxygen generating keratin/silk fibroin scaffold could be a potential biomaterial for urethral reconstruction.