Scaffolds and platelet concentrates in bone regenerative medicine: applications, mechanisms, and future approaches

INTRODUCTION: Scaffolds are being increasingly employed to enhance tissue regeneration, after the development of scaffold fabrication methods and utilization of different biomaterials in the manufacturing process. Blood derivatives are used to enhance tissue regeneration. We summarize recent advances in the field of biomaterials, fabrication methods of scaffolds, and platelet concentrates (PCs) as a source of regenerative blood compounds. We also evaluate the separate and combined use of biomaterials and PCs, and address the challenges of their future use. SOURCE OF DATA: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: The role of scaffolds and their development to enhance bone regeneration is well researched. Also, the cellular and macromolecular contents of PCs promote bone regenerative processes. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: Lack of a universal preparation protocol for the production of first-generation PCs, contradictory results of animal studies for the second generation of PCs, and conflicting results of the effectiveness of some types of the third PCs generation on tissue regeneration. GROWING POINTS: More advanced techniques of scaffold fabrication, exploration of scaffold biomaterials to increase therapeutic characterization and to minimize unwanted effects, development of new PCs should promote bone regeneration in vivo and in vitro. The effects of combined use of scaffolds and PCs on bone regeneration should be investigated. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: Advanced generations of scaffold biomaterials and PCs are important to stimulate bone regeneration and minimize unwanted negative effects. Further research is needed in the production of scaffold biomaterials and PCs development, as well as their combined use.