Sinus lift augmentation is a procedure required for the placement of a dental implant, whose success can be limited by the quantity or quality of available bone. To this purpose, the first aim of the current study was to evaluate the ability of autologous periosteum-derived micrografts and Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) supplemented with hydroxyl apatite (HA) to induce bone augmentation in the sinus lift procedure. Secondly, we compared the micrograft’s behavior with respect to biomaterial alone, including Bio-Oss® and PLGA/HA, commercially named Alos. Sinus lift procedure was performed on 24 patients who required dental implants and who, according to the study design and procedure performed, were divided into three groups: group A (Alos + periosteum-derived micrografts); group B (Alos alone); and group C (Bio-Oss® alone). Briefly, in group A, a small piece of periosteum was collected from each patient and mechanically disaggregated by Rigenera® protocol using the Rigeneracons medical device. This protocol allowed for the obtainment of autologous micrografts, which in turn were used to soak the Alos scaffold. At six months after the sinus lift procedure and before the installation of dental implants, histological and radiographic evaluations in all three groups were performed. In group A, where sinus lift augmentation was performed using periosteum-derived micrografts and Alos, the bone regeneration was much faster than in the control groups where it was performed with Alos or Bio-Oss® alone (groups B and C, respectively). In addition, the radiographic evaluation in the patients of group A showed a radio-opacity after four months, while after six months, the prosthetic rehabilitation was improved and was maintained after two years post-surgery. In summary, we report on the efficacy of periosteum-derived micrografts and Alos to augment sinus lift in patients requiring dental implants. This efficacy is supported by an increased percentage of vital mineralized tisssue in the group treated with both periosteum-derived micrografts and Alos, with respect to the control group of Alos or Bio-Oss® alone, as confirmed by histological analysis and radiographic evaluations at six months from treatment.

The protocol describes a new method to disaggregate human tissues and to create autologous micro-grafts that, combined with collagen...

(1) Background: Focal chondral defects of the knee can significantly impair patient quality of life. Although different options are available, they are still not conclusive and have several limitations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of autologous cartilage micrografts in the treatment of knee chondropathy. (2) Methods: Eight patients affected by knee chondropathy were evaluated before and after 6 months and 3 years following autologous cartilage micrografts by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for cartilage measurement and clinical assessment. (3) Results: All patients recovered daily activities, reporting pain reduction without the need for analgesic therapy; Oxford Knee Score (OKS) was 28.4 ± 6 and 40.8 ± 6.2 and visual analogue scale (VAS) was 5.5 ± 1.6 and 1.8 ± 0.7 before and after 6 months following treatment, respectively. Both scores remained stable after 3 years. Lastly, a significant improvement of the cartilage thickness was observed using MRI after 3 years. (4) Conclusions: Autologous cartilage micrografts can promote the formation of new cartilage, and could be a valid approach for the treatment of knee chondropathy.

Background: Tissue healing consists of four main phases: coagulation, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. In diabetic patients, this process is stagnant in the inflammatory stage, leading to chronic wounds. The aim of this study is to evaluate in an animal model the biological evidence related to the use of the Rigenera^® technology (Turin Italy), an innovative mechanical procedure to isolate autologous micrografts (AMG). Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (C), control treated with micrografts (CM), diabetic (DB), and diabetic treated with micrografts (DBM). The experimental setup involved: the quantification of the total collagen and elastic fibers; histopathological analysis; immunohistochemical analysis for collagen type I (COL1), collagen type III (COL3), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), and interleukin 4 (IL4) and 10 (IL10); evaluation of the oxidative stress; measurement of gluthatione (GSH); and, finally, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Results: The AMG technology induces a faster healing process: VEGF-A, IL4, IL10, and GSH increased, while TNF-α and oxidative stress decreased. Conclusions: Animals treated with micrografts showed more favorable results for healing compared to those that did not receive treatment, demonstrating a positive participation of the micrografts in the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds.

The intent of this letter is to comment on an article entitled “Suitability of a Progenitor Cell-Enriching Device for In Vitro Applications”