Evaluating the efficacy of stem cell enrichment in stromal vascular fraction for knee osteoarthritis: a scoping review

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease whose incidence is associated with aging. Given the aging population, an increase in cases of this disease is expected. Conservative methodologies for the treatment of osteoarthritis have been gaining traction in the last decade. The use of the stromal vascular fraction is one such alternative strategy to surgery in mild to moderate cases. However, there is great variability in the methodologies for obtaining the material, such as the collection site, preparation, and analysis, making comparisons between different studies difficult.The aim of this scoping review is to assess the efficacy of stromal vascular fraction enrichment procedures to obtain stem cell population. The research question is structured using the acronym PCC, considering as population (P) patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis; as concept (I) precursor cells enrichment and as context (C) the stromal vascular fraction. Inclusion criteria: patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), with the collection of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and assessment of parameters related to progenitor cell enrichment: cell quantification, cell viability, or phenotypic characterization using markers; primary studies without language or time restrictions. Exclusion criteria: secondary or opinion studies or studies conducted on animals. The search will be structured and conducted in the following Databases: Pubmed, BVS, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and mapping of the grey literature using the USP and IBICT Repositories, utilizing health descriptors (DeCS). Rayyan software will be used for duplicate removal and adherence selection according to the study criteria. Data extraction will include parameters related to the methodology of material extraction and analysis, as well as obtained values and the type of study. It is expected that the results of this scoping review will provide a comprehensive overview of the effectiveness of non-enzymatic mechanical methods for isolating SVF, as well as the cellular profile obtained in these protocols. The findings may contribute to the standardization of isolation techniques, support methodological decisions in future research, and assist in evaluating the translational potential of mechanically isolated SVF for clinical applications, particularly in the context of knee osteoarthritis.