Evaluation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCS) exosome implantation and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on critical long bone defects in Sprague-Dawley rats

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (ASCs exosome) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in treating critical long bone defects in Sprague-Dawley rats. Critical long bone defects, defined as exceeding 2 cm or 50% of the bone diameter, often pose a healing challenge. While autologous bone grafts have been considered, they have shown unreliable results and donor-site complications, necessitating alternative treatments.

The research followed a quasi-experimental post-test only control group design involving 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into five groups and subjected to femur bone defect creation, internally fixed with a 1.4 mm K-wire, and treated with various combinations of hydroxyapatite (HA), bone graft (BG), ASCs exosome, and PRF. Histomorphometry and BMP-2 gene expression analysis were performed to evaluate bone healing.

The results indicated that the group treated with HA + BG + ASCs exosome (group IV) exhibited the highest BMP-2 gene expression, while group III (HA + BG + ASCs exosome + PRF) had the highest chordin level. Overall, groups receiving ASCs exosome or PRF intervention showed elevated BMP-2 expression compared to the control group. The use of ASCs exosome and PRF showed comparable outcomes compared to bone graft administration in terms of histomorphometry analysis.

The administration of adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells and PRF has a comparable outcome with the use of bone graft in terms of osseus area and expression of BMP-2 in critical bone defect.