Stem Cell–Loaded Collagen–Chitosan Scaffold Promotes Repair of Bone Defects in Rats

Background: Bone defects in veterinary medicine resulting from trauma, tumors, or surgery can usually exceed the natural regeneration capacity. Consequently, innovative strategies, including the use of biocompatible scaffolds combined with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have become a promising approach in regenerative medicine. Tissue engineering integrates MSCs, scaffolds, and signaling molecules to promote regeneration. The following study investigates the osteo-inductive potential of allogeneic muscle-derived MSCs incorporated into a collagen–chitosan–β-glycerophosphate scaffold. Methods: A three-dimensional porous scaffold composed of bovine type I collagen and chitosan (in a ۶۵:۳۵ ratio) was created and sterilized with ۷۰% ethanol under aseptic conditions. Then, allogeneic MSCs derived from rat hindlimb skeletal muscle were seeded onto the scaffold. Rats were divided into three experimental groups (n=۱۲ each): untreated bone defect (control), defect treated with acellular scaffold, and defect treated with scaffold seeded with muscle-derived MSCs. After several weeks, bone regeneration was evaluated through histopathological analyses. Results: According to SEM and FTIR analyses, the scaffold’s porous structure and its capacity for material absorption were confirmed. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that bone regeneration was significantly greater in the MSC-seeded scaffold group compared to the control at weeks ۴ and ۱۲. No significant differences were found between the MSC-seeded and scaffold groups or between the scaffold and control at both ۴ and ۱۲ weeks. By week ۱۲, the muscle-derived MSC-seeded scaffolds significantly enhanced bone formation at the defect site, despite the presence of some local granulomatous inflammation. Conclusion: These findings indicate that a collagen–chitosan–β-glycerophosphate scaffold loaded with allogeneic muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells can successfully promote bone regeneration in rats.

کلیدواژه ها:

Collagen–chitosan scaffold ، β-glycerophosphate ، Muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) ، Regenerative medicine ، Bone defect repair ، Rat