Provided is a poly-â-1-4-N-acetylglucosamine composition comprising biocompatible poly- â-1-4-N-acetylglucosamine fibers, wherein (i) the majority of the fibers are less than about 10 µm in length, and (ii) the composition (a) increases metabolic rate of serum-starved human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells in a MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay and/or does not rescue apoptosis of serum-starved human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells in a trypan blue exclusion test, and (b) is non-reactive when tested in an intramuscular implantation test. The composition is useful in wound dressings and bandages for treating wounds without generating foreign body reactions.
