Guided Bone Regeneration of Mandibles Using Chitosan Scaffold Seeded with Characterized Uncultured Omental Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction: An Animal Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of characterized uncultured omental adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) on bone regeneration in a circular mandibular bone defect. A chitosan scaffold was used to maintain the cells in situ. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five healthy male white Wistar rats were randomized into three experimental groups. In the control group, a surgical bone defect was created in the body of the mandible. In the scaffold group, a chitosan scaffold was placed into the defect. In the scaffold/ SVF group, a scaffold was implanted and seeded with 10-μL SVF aliquots (2.19 ± 0.43 × 107 cells). Results: Microscopic and histomorphometric analyses showed improved and earlier regeneration of bone defects in the scaffold/SVF group compared to the scaffold-only group. Conclusion: In this animal model, the use of a chitosan scaffold with SVF aliquots resulted in significantly earlier regeneration of bone than the use of the scaffold alone. Keywords: bone regeneration, chitosan scaffold, mandible, stromal vascular fraction