Background Cartilaginous disorders comprise a wide range of diseases that affect normal joint movement, ear and nose shape; and they have great social and economic impact. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide a promising regeneration alternative for treatment of degenerative cartilaginous disorders. This study aimed to compare therapeutic potential of different types of laser activated MSCs to promote auricular cartilage regeneration. Twelve adult rabbit allocated equally in four groups, all animals received a surgical mid auricular cartilage defect in one ear; Group I (Positive control) injected sub-perichondrially with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), Group II (ADMSC-transplanted group) injected adipose-derived MSCs (ADMSCs), Group III (BMMSCs-transplanted group) received bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs), and Group IV (EMSC-transplanted group) received ear MSCs (EMSCs) in the defected ear. The auricular defect was analyzed morphologically, histopathologically and immunohistochemically after 4 weeks. In addition, a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to examine expression of the collagen type II (Col II) and aggrecan as cartilage growth factors. Results The auricles of all treatments appeared completely healed with smooth surfaces and similar tissue color. Histopathologically, defective areas of control positive group, ADMSCs and EMSCs treated groups experienced a small area of immature cartilage. While BMMSCs treated group exhibited typical features of new cartilage formation with mature chondrocytes inside their lacunae and dense extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition, BMMSC treated group showed a positive reaction to Masson’s trichrome and orcein stains. In contrary, control positive, ADMSC and EMSC groups revealed faint staining with Masson’s trichrome and Orcein. Immunohistochemically, there was an intense positive S100 expression in BMMSCs (with a significant increase of area percentage + 21.89 (P < 0.05), a moderate reaction in EMSCs (with an area percentage + 17.97, and a mild reaction in the control group and ADMSCs (area percentages + 8.02 and + 11.37, respectively). The expression of relative col II and aggrecan was substantially highest in BMMSCs (± 0.91 and ± 0.89, respectively). While, Control positive, ADMSCs and EMSCs groups recorded (± 0.41: ± 0.21, ± 0.6: ± 0.44, ± 0.61: ± 0.63) respectively. Conclusion BMMSCs showed the highest chondrogenic potential compared to ADMSCs and EMSCs and should be considered the first choice in treatment of cartilaginous degenerative disorders.

The objective of the current study is to evaluate using of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) or adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for the therapy of rabbit ear cartilage defects. Nine adult New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups. The rabbit ears developed two defects in the cartilage. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was injected subperichondrially into Group I, adipose-derived MSCs (ADMSCs) were injected into Group II, and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) was injected into Group III in the defective ear. After 4 weeks, the auricular defect was examined morphologically, histologically, and immunohistochemically. In addition, the gene expression of the collagen type II (Col II) and aggrecan. Anatomically, the auricles of all treatments seemed to be fully healed with smooth surfaces. Histopathologically, a small region of immature cartilage was seen in the control positive group's defects. While the group treated with PRF and ADSCs demonstrated the normal characteristics of new cartilage development, including mature chondrocytes within their lacunae and rich extracellular matrix (ECM). The PRF-treated group responded to Masson's trichrome and orcein stains, while produced a faint staining in the case of the control positive and ADMSC groups. Immunohistochemically, there was a strong positive S100 expression in ADSCs and PRF but mild reaction in the control group. The expression of relative col II and aggrecan was substantially highest in PRF (± 0.72 and ± 0.57, respectively). While, Control positive and ADMSC groups recorded (± 0.41 : ± 0.21, ± 0.6 : ± 0.44) respectively. The PRF had the highest rate of proliferation and chondrogenic potential when compared to the ADMSCs and control groups.