Bacterial cellulose-based materials in medicine

Biological material (bacterial cellulose) has recently found application in various industries (cooking, textiles, electronics) and medicine. It is a glucose polymer, and its production is based on different methods of chemical hydrolysis of different acetic acid bacteria. The authors present experimental and clinical studies devoted to creation of various bacterial cellulose-based implantable structures, in particular, vascular stents and couplings for nerve covering. There are possibilities of bacterial cellulose modeling for replacing defects in dura mater, bone and cartilage tissue, cornea, periodontal tissue, etc. In surgery, a promising direction is various bacterial cellulose-based dressings for non-healing wounds, trophic ulcers of lower extremities and thermal skin burns. Along with available transdermal medicines, bacterial cellulose films are considered as a matrix for drug delivery. In this regard, new composite dressings with chitosan, antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are being developed. Experimental bacterial cellulose-based materials are highly effective in various fields of medicine. In wound management, bacterial cellulose-based dressings maintain moist environment, thermal insulation and effective oxygen circulation on wound surface, provide protection against bacterial contamination and secondary infections. They do not cause allergic reactions that confirms biological compatibility and safety of this material. There is ability of wound cellulose coatings to stimulate reparative processes through acceleration of epithelialization and scarring of wounds. Additional multiple-center studies are necessary for a wider introduction of bacterial cellulose-based materials into clinical practice.