Journal of biomaterials applications
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Graft-assisted healing is often proposed for clinical management of large-sized third-degree cutaneous burn wounds. Skin-graft substitutes prepared by loading appropriate cell types on suitable scaffolds have been found successful. We have previously shown that cholecyst-derived scaffold prepared by a non-detergent/enzymatic method can be used as skin-graft substitute for promoting healing of full thickness excision wounds in rabbit. ⋯ Results of immunohistochemistry indicated a parallel change in the number of proliferating cells and myofibroblast in the healing tissue. Although the pathophysiology of the healing reaction was not established, the observations suggested that homologus fibroblast-loaded cholecyst-derived scaffold promoted faster healing of third-degree wounds in rabbit model by modulating myofibroblast response. It was concluded that cholecyst-derived scaffold prepared by the non-detergent/enzymatic method is a potential scaffold for fabricating bioartificial skin grafts.
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Nucleus pulposus replacement therapy could offer a less invasive alternative to restore the function of moderately degenerated intervertebral discs than current potentially destructive surgical procedures. Numerous nucleus pulposus substitutes have already been investigated, to assess their applicability for intradiscal use. Still, the current choice of testing methods often does not lead to efficient translation into clinical application. ⋯ Moreover, the nucleus pulposus substitutes did not remain in place in the in vivo situation but migrated out of the disc area. From these results, we conclude that implants may mimic native disc behaviour in simple mechanical tests, yet fail in other, more realistic set-ups. Therefore, we recommend that biomaterials for nucleus pulposus replacement be tested in testing modalities of increasing complexity and in their relevant anatomical surroundings, for a more reliable prediction of clinical potential.