"Combined synergistic effects of concentrated growth factors and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on regeneration of induced mandibular defects in rabbits".

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of combining allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) with autologous concentrated growth factors (CGF) to enhance the repair of mandibular defects in rabbits.

METHODS

Rabbit ADSCs were characterized using flow cytometry, identifying CD73, CD90, and CD105 as surface markers, while Alizarin Red Staining confirmed osteogenic differentiation, showing substantial mineralized deposits by day 21. A total of 24 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups: BLANK (control group), CGF, ADSCs, and ADSCs/CGF. Each rabbit underwent a standardized mandibular defect procedure, and assessments were conducted at 4 and 12 weeks post-surgery using Micro Computed Tomography (micro-CT) to evaluate bone volume and new bone formation, alongside Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining for histological analysis.

RESULTS

At 4 weeks, the CGF and ADSCs/CGF groups showed partial osteoid tissue formation, while the BLANK and ADSCs groups exhibited less osteoid tissue. By 12 weeks, the CGF and ADSCs/CGF groups demonstrated near-complete bone healing, with the ADSCs/CGF combination showing the most pronounced effects. Micro-CT and histological analyses confirmed significantly higher bone volume and new bone area ratios in the CGF, ADSCs, and ADSCs/CGF groups compared to the BLANK group, with the ADSCs/CGF group being the most effective (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrate the synergistic potential of combining CGF with ADSCs to enhance bone regeneration in mandibular defects. The ADSCs/CGF combination offers superior outcomes compared to CGF or ADSCs alone, providing a strong foundation for further research and clinical applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.