Comparative Effects of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and Hydrogen Peroxide on Type I and III Collagen Preservation in Decellularized Bovine Pericardium Scaffolds

Background: Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is an anionic detergent widely used for tissue decellularization due to its effectiveness in removing cellular components. However, SDS can also reduce extracellular matrix (ECM) density, potentially compromising scaffold integrity. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), though less commonly used, also facilitates decellularization. Type I and III collagens are essential ECM components that influence the mechanical properties of scaffolds. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SDS and H2O2 on the density of type I and III collagens in decellularized bovine pericardium. Methods: Bovine pericardium samples were treated with either 0.5% SDS, 3% H2O2, or a control solution (0.9% NaCl) for two weeks. Collagen density was assessed using immunohistochemical staining. The Kruskal-Wallis test was employed for inter-group comparisons, followed by the Mann-Whitney U test for post hoc analysis. Results: Type I collagen density was lower in SDS-treated scaffolds, with over 50% exhibiting low intensity (0 or +1), whereas 67% of H2O2-treated samples showed moderate density (+2). For type III collagen, the control group had the highest proportion of samples with moderate to high density (+2 and +3) (83%), followed by the H2O2 group (50%) and SDS group (17%). Post hoc analysis revealed significant differences between the control and SDS groups for both type I (p = 0.037) and type III (p = 0.023) collagens. Conclusion: SDS-based decellularization significantly reduces type I and III collagen densities in bovine pericardium scaffolds, whereas H2O2 treatment better preserves collagen content. These findings suggest that H2O2 may be a viable alternative for maintaining ECM integrity in decellularized tissues.