Abstract: Chitin and chitosan films were prepared by solution casting method. Chitosan specimens used in this study were deacetylated by 56.4%, 69.2%, 85.5% and 96.3%. Their water content, protein adhesion ability, cyto-compatibility, cell adhesion ability, in vitro and vivo degradability and biocompatibility were evaluated. Results indicated that with the degree of deacetylation (DD) between 50% and 70%, the chitosan showed higher water content. The higher the DD, the stronger protein adhesion ability the chitosan had. All the films have good cytocompatibility and the films with higher DD have better cell adhesion ability. Chitin films degraded more rapidly than others, which disappeared in 2 to 4 weeks after they were implanted in subcutaneous tissue and musculature. Their inflammatory reaction became weaker as the films degraded. As the DD got higher, the films degraded slower. The films of DD 85.5% and DD 96.3% even didn0t disappeared in 12 weeks after they were implanted. Their inflammatory reaction was mild at the beginning of degradation, and became severe in 4 to 8 weeks, then weaken at last. This basic result can be very helpful for tissue engineering.

Key words: Chitosan, Degree of deacetylation, Biodegradability, Cytocompatibility...