BACKGROUND: Surgical mesh is widely used not only to treat but also to prevent incisional hernia formation. Despite much effort by material engineers, the 'ideal' mesh mechanically, biologically and surgically easy to use remains elusive. Advances in tissue engineering and nanomedicine have allowed new concepts to be tested with promising results in both small and large animals. Abandoning the concept of a pre-formed mesh completely for a 'pour in liquid mesh' has never been tested before. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty rabbits underwent midline laparotomy with closure using an absorbable suture and small stitch small bites technique. In addition, their abdominal wall closure was reinforced by a liquid nanofibrous scaffold composed of a fibrin sealant and nanofibres of poly-ε-caprolactone with or without hyaluronic acid or the sealant alone, poured in as an 'onlay' over the closed abdominal wall. The animals were killed at 6 weeks and their abdominal wall was subjected to histological and biomechanical evaluations. RESULTS: All the animals survived the study period with no major complication. Histological evaluation showed an eosinophilic infiltration in all groups and foreign body reaction more pronounced in the groups with nanofibres. Biomechanical testing demonstrated that groups treated with nanofibres developed a scar with higher tensile yield strength. CONCLUSION: The use of nanofibres in a liquid form applied to the closed abdominal wall is easy to use and improves the biomechanical properties of healing fascia at 6 weeks after midline laparotomy in a rabbit model.

• Keywords
• hernia, liquid mesh, mesh, nanofibres,
• MeSH
• Abdominal Wall * surgery   MeSH
• Surgical Mesh adverse effects   MeSH
• Incisional Hernia * surgery   MeSH
• Rabbits MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Nanofibers * MeSH
• Herniorrhaphy methods   MeSH
• Suture Techniques adverse effects   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rabbits MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Skin is the external part of the human body; thus, it is exposed to outer stimuli leading to injuries and damage, due to being the tissue mostly affected by wounds and aging that compromise its protective function. The recent extension of the average lifespan raises the interest in products capable of counteracting skin related health conditions. However, the skin barrier is not easy to permeate and could be influenced by different factors. In the last decades an innovative pharmacotherapeutic approach has been possible thanks to the advent of nanomedicine. Nanodevices can represent an appropriate formulation to enhance the passive penetration, modulate drug solubility and increase the thermodynamic activity of drugs. Here, we summarize the recent nanotechnological approaches to maintain and replace skin homeostasis, with particular attention to nanomaterials applications on wound healing, regeneration and rejuvenation of skin tissue. The different nanomaterials as nanofibers, hydrogels, nanosuspensions, and nanoparticles are described and in particular we highlight their main chemical features that are useful in drug delivery and tissue regeneration.

• Keywords
• cellular mechanisms, nanomaterials, regenerative medicine, skin, stem cells,
• MeSH
• Skin Physiological Phenomena drug effects   MeSH
• Skin metabolism   MeSH
• Drug Delivery Systems * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Nanostructures therapeutic use   MeSH
• Rejuvenation * MeSH
• Regeneration drug effects   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Platelet concentrates and especially their further product platelet lysate, are widely used as a replacement for cell culturing. Platelets contain a broad spectrum of growth factors and bioactive molecules that affect cellular fate. However, the cellular response to individual components of the human platelet concentrate is still unclear. The aim of this study was to observe cellular behavior according to the individual components of platelet concentrates. The bioactive molecule content was determined. The cells were supplemented with a medium containing 8% (v/v) of platelet proteins in plasma, pure platelet proteins in deionized water, and pure plasma. The results showed a higher concentration of fibrinogen, albumin, insulin growth factor I (IGF-1), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), in the groups containing plasma. On the other hand, chemokine RANTES and platelet-derived growth factor bb (PDGF-bb), were higher in the groups containing platelet proteins. The groups containing both plasma and plasma proteins showed the most pronounced proliferation and viability of mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts. The platelet proteins alone were not sufficient to provide optimal cell growth and viability. A synergic effect of platelet proteins and plasma was observed. The data indicated the importance of plasma in platelet lysate for cell growth.

• Keywords
• fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, plasma, platelets,
• MeSH
• Albumins MeSH
• Becaplermin metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Culture Techniques methods   MeSH
• Chemokines metabolism   MeSH
• Fibrinogen metabolism   MeSH
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 MeSH
• Fibroblasts metabolism   MeSH
• Hepatocyte Growth Factor MeSH
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I MeSH
• Plasma chemistry   MeSH
• Culture Media chemistry   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells metabolism   MeSH
• Platelet-Rich Plasma metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Proliferation drug effects   MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis metabolism   MeSH
• Blood Platelets chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Albumins MeSH
• Becaplermin MeSH
• Chemokines MeSH
• Fibrinogen MeSH
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 MeSH
• Hepatocyte Growth Factor MeSH
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I MeSH
• Culture Media MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis MeSH

Vitiligo is the most common depigmentation disorder of the skin. Currently, its therapy focuses on the halting of the immune response and stimulation of the regenerative processes, leading to the restoration of normal melanocyte function. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) represents a safe and cheap regenerative therapy option, as it delivers a wide spectrum of native growth factors, cytokines and other bioactive molecules. The aim of this study was to develop a simple delivery system to prolong the effects of the bioactive molecules released from platelets. The surface of electrospun and centrifugally spun poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) fibrous scaffolds was functionalized with various concentrations of platelets; the influence of the morphology of the scaffolds and the concentration of the released platelet-derived bioactive molecules on melanocytes, was then assessed. An almost two-fold increase in the amount of the released bioactive molecules was detected on the centrifugally spun vs. electrospun scaffolds, and a sustained 14-day release of the bioactive molecules was demonstrated. A strong concentration-dependent response of melanocyte to the bioactive molecules was observed; higher concentrations of bioactive molecules resulted in improved metabolic activity and proliferation of melanocytes. This simple system improves melanocyte viability, offers on-site preparation and is suitable for prolonged topical PRP administration.

• Keywords
• centrifugal spinning, electrospinning, melanocyte, platelets, vitiligo,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Bone regeneration is a long-term process requiring proper scaffolding and drug delivery systems. The current study delivers a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold prepared by blend centrifugal spinning loaded with the osteogenic supplements (OS) β-glycerol phosphate, ascorbate-2-phosphate and dexamethasone. The OS were successfully encapsulated into a fibrous scaffold and showed sustained release for 30 days. Furthermore, biological testing showed the osteoinductive properties of the scaffolds on a model of human mesenchymal stem cells and stimulatory effect on a model of osteoblasts. The osteoinductive properties were further proved in vivo in critical size defects of rabbits. The amount of bone trabecules was bigger compared to control fibers without OS. The results indicate that due to its long-term drug releasing properties, single step fabrication process and 3D structure, the system shows ideal properties for use as a cell-free bone implant in tissue-engineering.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH