Bone marrow-impregnated collagen matrix for wound healing: experimental evaluation in a microcirculatory model of angiogenesis, and clinical experience

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the effect of collagen matrix impregnated with bone marrow on wound healing angiogenesis in an effective microcirculatory model and to describe our clinical experience.

Methods

We used a skinfold chamber of original design which visualises microcirculation following wound creation on the dorsal skin of the mouse to establish an in vivo experimental model to estimate angiogenesis. Animals were divided into two groups: a bone marrow group (n=6) in which bone marrow-impregnated collagen matrix was applied to the wound; and a control group (n=7), in which collagen immersed in saline was applied, and functional capillary density was quantified during the repair process.

Results

The increase rate in functional capillary density during wound healing significantly increased in the bone marrow group on days 3, 5 and 7 after creation of the wound but no significant difference was detected on day 10. A patient with a chronic leg ulcer that had not responded to conventional therapy for 1 year was treated with autogenous bone marrow-impregnated collagen matrix and successful wound closure was obtained.

Conclusion

The present study suggested that collagen matrix impregnated with bone marrow significantly promoted the repair process, especially in the early stage. The features of the treatment, including the possible use of a patient's own cells, simple method, immediate application without any processing procedure and preservation of the inclusive potentiality of bone marrow suspension, offer significant advantages in terms of the anticipated routine clinical use.