Evaluation of developmental toxicity of VTES-modified chitosan/PVA hydrogel in chick embryos

Abstract Background Toxicity assessment of biomaterials is an important step in determining their biological safety. Hydrogels are used extensively in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications because of their biocompatibility and wound-healing properties; therefore, evaluating their safety for therapeutic applications is required. The study focused on the teratogenicity and embryotoxic effects of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels, crosslinked with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) in chick embryo model. Results Hydrogels were prepared with different concentrations of VTES: CS-V0, CS-V50, and CS-V100 via the solution casting method. Fertilized chick eggs were incubated at 38 ± 1 °C, hydrogel inoculated at ED4 and eggs assessed on ED9 and ED12. Morphological, morphometric, and biochemical parameters were evaluated to check teratogenicity and systemic toxicity of the recovered embryos. Morphological studies indicated that external features of hydrogel-treated groups were comparable to control group. Morphometric observations showed statistically significant differences ( p ≤ 0.05) in body weight and several other morphometric parameters in the CS-V50 and CS-V100 groups against control. Biochemical analysis revealed remarkable changes in biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, urea, and creatinine increased), as compared to control group. Conclusion Prepared hydrogels (chitosan/PVA crosslinked with VTES) showed no obvious structural abnormalities or teratogenic effects during the present study as compared to control group, while these findings are not concomitant with biochemical observations.