Abstract
Background: The study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) compared to that of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) toward the regeneration of surgically created cleft alveolus in dogs. Methods: A split mouth experimental study was performed on 12 healthy mongrel dogs divided into two groups, 6 each. In group A, on the experimental side (right side of the maxilla), AT-MSCs, scaffold, and growth factors were transplanted into the surgically created alveolus while in group B, BM-MSCs, scaffold, and growth factors were transplanted into the experimental side. On the control sides (left side of the maxilla), the surgically created alveolus received only scaffold and growth factors. Bone regeneration was evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically at 1.5 and 3 months following dog scarification. The data were evaluated using descriptive and t test methods (p = 0.05). Results: Transplantation of both types of stem cells (AT-MSCs or BM-MSCs) accelerated the healing and regeneration of the defected area as early as 1.5 and 3 months. Conclusion: AT-MSCs exhibited comparable effectiveness to that of BM -MSCs. Combined with their low cost, ease of harvesting, and safer procedure, our results support AT-MSCs as a preferred option for clinical application.