Chitosan has been known as a wound healing agent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility and guided bone regenerative effect of chitosan and chitosan-cellulose membranes. The effects of chitosan and chitosan-cellulose membranes on the growth and survival of human periodontal ligament cells were examined by rapid colorimetric MTT(tetrazolium) assay, and the tissue response and resorption pattern were observed by implanting the membranes into the subcutaneous tissue of the back of rats for 6 weeks. To evaluate the guided bone regenerative potential of membranes, the amount of newly formed bone in the rat calvarial defects(8mm in diameter) was measured by histomorphometry and radiomorphometry 1,2 and 4 weeks after implantation of membranes. Chitosan and chitosan-cellulose membranes showed no adverse effect on the growth and survival of human periodontal ligament cells. When membranes were subcutaneously implanted, inflammatory reaction was observed at 1 week and which gradually subsided 2 weeks after implantation. Membranes remained intact throughout the experimental period of 6 weeks. Radiomorphometric analysis of the craniotomy sites revealed that chitosan and chitosan-cellulose membrane implanted sites showed increased radiopacity over control. Statistically significant differences with control were found in chitosan-cellulose membrane implanted group at 2 and 4 weeks, and chitosan membrane implanted group at 4 weeks(P<0.05). Histomorphometric data indicated a pattern of osseous healing similar to radiomorphometric analysis. There was a statistically significant difference between control and chitosan-cellulose membrane implanted group at 4 weeks(P<0.05). These results implicate that chitosan and chitosan-cellulose membrane might be useful for guided bone regeneration.