A Comparison of Tissue-Engineered Bone with Autogenous Bone Graft

Methods: In this prospective clinical trial study, MSc were isolated from subcutaneous canine adipose tissue and culture expanded through 3 successive subcultures. The mesenchymal stem cell character was proven by flowcytometrical analysis. Undifferentiated cells were incubated with 3×3×3 mm³  hydroxy apatite/beta-tricalcium phosphate scaffold(CERAFORM,Teknimed,France) in specific osteogenic medium for 21 days. Cell differentiation was evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)analysis of osteogenic gen expression. Four mongrel dogs were prepared by removal of two of the three incisors bilaterally & a 15mm defect in bone was created from crest to nasal floor. 2 month were allowed for healing, followed by repair with tissue engineered bone from adipose- derived stem cells in one side & corticocancellous  tibial auto graft in another side. Bone regeneration was evaluated by histomorphometry in 15^th & 60^th day after implantation. The data was analyzed with descriptive and t-test method.(α=0.05)

Results: The bone formation of auto graft sides was higher than the stem cell sides either in 15^th or 60^th days,45% and 96%  versus 5% and 70% respectively. Although the sides treated with stem cell showed less bone formation in 15^th day, but the rate increased more rapidly in coming days to approach acceptable level of  70% in 60^th day. The differences among these two groups in 15^th and 60^th days were significant and respectively ( p value=0.004) and ( p value=0.001).

Conclusions: Although auto graft is still a gold standard for bone regeneration, tissue engineered bone from adipose-derived stem cell provide an acceptable alternative for conventional method specially in the case of limited availability of auto graft or donor site morbidity