Repair of bone defects using adipose-derived stem cells combined with alpha-tricalcium phosphate and gelatin sponge scaffolds in a rat model

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) combined with a modified α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) or gelatin sponge (GS) scaffolds for bone healing in a rat model. Material and Methods Bone defects were surgically created in the femur of adult SHR rats and filled with the scaffolds, empty or combined with ASCs. The results were analyzed by histology and histomorphometry on days seven, 14, 30, and 60. Results Significantly increased bone repair was observed on days seven and 60 in animals treated with α-TCP/ASCs, and on day 14 in the group treated with GS/ASCs, when compared with the groups treated with the biomaterials alone. Intense fibroplasia was observed in the group treated with GS alone, on days 14 and 30. Conclusions Our results showed that the use of ASCs combined with α-TCP or GS scaffolds resulted in increased bone repair. The higher efficacy of the α-TCP scaffold suggests osteoconductive property that results in a biological support to the cells, whereas the GS scaffold functions just as a carrier. These results confirm the potential of ASCs in accelerating bone repair in in vivo experimental rat models. These results suggest a new alternative for treating bone defects.

Effects of fibrin sealer and resorbable gelatin on the repair of osseous defects in rat tibia

Gelfoam® - a biologically resorbable gelatin sponge - has the function of restricting hemorrhage, providing platelet rupture, and supporting fibrin threads. Beriplast® - a fibrinogen-thrombin compound - is used to adhere tissues, to consolidate sutures and in hemostasis. The objective of this study was to perform a histological analysis of the effects of haemostatic agents on osseous repair. These materials were inserted into surgical sites in young rat right and left tibiae. After the observation periods of 7, 14, 30 and 45 days, according to the bioethic protocol, the animals were killed, the tibiae were removed and fixed in 10 percent formalin and decalcified in equal parts of formic acid and sodium citrate solutions. After routine processing, the specimens were embedded in paraffin for microtomy. Analysis of the results demonstrated that the haemostatic agents are effective in controlling hemorrhage; they stimulate osteogenesis, featuring a pattern of osseous tissue formation similar to the control pattern, although the amount of osseous trabeculae was superior, especially in the Gelfoam group in the periods of 7 and 14 days; 30 days after surgery, the delay in tissue healing in the control group in relation to the experimental groups started to decrease, and the control and experimental groups exhibited similar tissue repair after 45 days, when all the groups exhibited secondary osseous tissue.

Gelfoam® - uma esponja de gelatina biologicamente reabsorvível - tem por função coibir as hemorragias, promover o rompimento de plaquetas e sustentar a rede de fibrina. Beriplast P® - um composto de fibrinogênio-trombina - é usado na adesão de tecidos, consolidação de suturas e hemostasia. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar histologicamente os efeitos de agentes hemostáticos na reparação óssea, os quais foram colocados em lojas cirúrgicas nas tíbias direita e esquerda de ratos jovens. Após os períodos de observação de 7, 14, 30 e 45 dias, segundo o protocolo bioético, os animais foram sacrificados, as tíbias foram removidas e fixadas em formalina a 10 por cento e descalcificadas em partes iguais de soluções de ácido fórmico e citrato de sódio, para inclusão em parafina e microtomia. A análise dos resultados demonstrou que os agentes hemostáticos têm eficácia no controle hemorrágico; eles estimulam a osteogênese, provocando um padrão de formação de tecido ósseo semelhante ao padrão do grupo controle, embora a quantidade de trabéculas ósseas tenha sido superior principalmente no grupo do Gelfoam, nos períodos de 7 e 14 dias; após os 30 dias da cirurgia, o retardo na reparação tecidual do grupo controle em relação aos grupos experimentais começou a decrescer, tornando-se a reparação tecidual daquele semelhante à destes aos 45 dias, quando todos os grupos apresentaram tecido ósseo secundário.