Effects of mesenchymal stem cells in critical size bone defect

S. Agacayak, B. Gulsun, M.C. Ucan, E. Karaoz*, Y. Nergiz**

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University, Diyarbakir (Turkey)
*Department of Stem Cell, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli (Turkey)
**Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Dicle Universty, Diyarbakir
(Turkey)

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• Stem Cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare culture-expanded, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) loaded to biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bone ceramic in the repair of rat calvarial bone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Critical-size (7 mm dia.) calvarial defects were prepared in the frontal-parietal bones of 90 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, according to defect filling, as follows: Group I (n=21), BCP; Group II (n=21), BCP+PRP; Group III (n=21), BCP+MSC; Group IV (n=21), BCP+PRP+MSC; Group V (n=6) (control), no treatment. Animals were sacrificed at 2, 8 and 12 weeks postsurgery and bone regeneration was evaluated both histologically and immunohistochemically.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in bone osteoblastic activity in calvarial defects among the groups (p < 0.05). PRP and MSC used in combination with BCP as a defect filling resulted in greater osteoblastic bone formation activity when compared to the use of BCP alone.

CONCLUSIONS: The combination of mesenchymal stem cells, platelet rich plasma and synthetic bone substitute was found to be more effective in inducing new bone formation (osteogenesis) than the use of platelet rich plasma combined with synthetic bone substitute and the use of synthetic bone substitute alone.

Corresponding Author: Serkan Agacayak, MD; e-mail: serkanagacayak@gmail.com