Vertical Bone Augmentation Using Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells: An In Vivo Study in the Rabbit Calvaria

To evaluate the bone regeneration capacity of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) in vertical guided augmentation of bone tissue. The calvaria of 20 rabbits were vertically augmented with autogenous bone graft (ABG); collagen/beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) linked scaffold transplanted with 15 × 10 BMSCs; or scaffold alone (control). The augmentation materials were covered with stainless steel domes. BMSCs were isolated with Ficoll-Paque technique and applied directly without in vitro expansion. The newly formed bone was evaluated using radiodensitometric, histomorphometric, histological, and micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) analyses after a 12-week healing period. The data excluding micro-CT assessments were compared statistically. Radiodensitometric and bone volume parameters demonstrated increased bone formation in both BMSC group and ABG group compared with control group (P < 0.01), but difference between the BMSC and ABG groups was not significant (P > 0.05). The mean histological scores for the BMSC, ABG, and control groups were 7.44 ± 1.03, 8.44 ± 0.81, and 6.00 ± 1.10, respectively, indicating significant difference among the groups (P < 0.05). BMSCs delivered with a collagen/β-TCP linked scaffold can provide improved new bone formation that is comparable with autogenous bone block graft through vertical guided bone regeneration technique.