Search

Introduction: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the TMJ. It is characterized by progressive degradation of the extracellular matrix components of articular cartilage, with secondary inflammatory components leading to pain in the temporomandibular region and reduced mouth opening. Current treatments do not halt disease progression, hence the need for new therapies to reduce inflammation and, consequently, improve symptoms. The aim of our randomized controlled clinical trial protocol is to investigate the efficacy of adjuvant intra-articular injections of autologous tissue-like stromal vascular fraction (tSVF), compared to arthrocentesis alone, in reducing pain and improving mouth opening in TMJ osteoarthritis patients. Materials and Methods: The primary endpoint analysis will consist of the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. The secondary endpoint analyses will include maximal interincisal mouth opening measurements; assessment of oral health and mandibular function based on the oral health impact profile (OHIP) questionnaire and mandibular functional impairment questionnaire (MFIQ); complications during the follow up; synovial cytokine analysis at baseline and after 26 weeks; and nucleated cells and tSVF (immuno)histochemistry analyses of the intervention group. Discussion: Our randomized clinical trial protocol will be applied to evaluate the efficacy of a new promising tSVF injection therapy for TMJ osteoarthritis. The safety of intra-articular injections of tSVF has been proven for knee osteoarthritis. However, since a tSVF injection is considered a heterologous application of cell therapy, the regulatory requirements are strict, which makes medical ethical approval challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical indications for adipose tissue therapy are expanding towards a regenerative-based approach. Adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction consists of extracellular matrix and all nonadipocyte cells such as connective tissue cells including fibroblasts, adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) and vascular cells. Tissue stromal vascular fraction (tSVF) is obtained by mechanical fractionation, forcing adipose tissue through a device with one or more small hole(s) or cutting blades between syringes. The aim of this scoping review was to assess the efficacy of mechanical fractionation procedures to obtain tSVF. In addition, we provide an overview of the clinical, that is, therapeutic, efficacy of tSVF isolated by mechanical fraction on skin rejuvenation, wound healing and osteoarthritis. Procedures to obtain tissue stromal vascular fraction using mechanical fractionation and their associated validation data were included for comparison. For clinical outcome comparison, both animal and human studies that reported results after tSVF injection were included. We categorized mechanical fractionation procedures into filtration (n = 4), centrifugation (n = 8), both filtration and centrifugation (n = 3) and other methods (n = 3). In total, 1465 patients and 410 animals were described in the included clinical studies. tSVF seems to have a more positive clinical outcome in diseases with a high proinflammatory character such as osteoarthritis or (disturbed) wound healing, in comparison with skin rejuvenation of aging skin. Isolation of tSVF is obtained by disruption of adipocytes and therefore volume is reduced. Procedures consisting of centrifugation prior to mechanical fractionation seem to be most effective in volume reduction and thus isolation of tSVF. tSVF injection seems to be especially beneficial in clinical applications such as osteoarthritis or wound healing. Clinical application of tSVF appeared to be independent of the preparation procedure, which indicates that current methods are highly versatile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Scleroderma is a heterogeneous chronic autoimmune disease affecting connective tissue, characterised by chronic inflammation and fibrosis, particularly affecting internal organs and skin. Orofacial involvement is common, leading to facial atrophy, mask-like appearance and difficulties in function that significantly impact patients' quality of life. This systematic review evaluates different autologous regenerative treatments of facial manifestations of scleroderma, aiming to provide comprehensive understanding of their effectiveness in reducing fibrosis, and thereby improving function and skin quality., Methods: A search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane CENTRAL, and CINAHL was conducted. Studies assessing autologous regenerative treatments in cutaneous manifestations of the face in scleroderma patients were included. Outcomes of interest were treatment characteristics, characterisation of biomaterials, outcome measurements and patient satisfaction. Methodological quality was assessed with the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool., Results: In total 18 studies were included. Methodological quality of studies was weak (n=15) and moderate (n=3). Treatments consisted of autologous fat grafting, platelet-rich plasma, stromal vascular fraction, and adipose-derived stem cells. In general, most studies showed improvements of symptoms, but no treatment was considered superior., Conclusions: Autologous regenerative treatments hold potential for alleviating cutaneous manifestations of the face in scleroderma. Further clinical trials should be well-designed to improve the quality of clinical evidence.