Functional Validation of a New Alginate-based Hydrogel Scaffold Combined with Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Rat Hard Palate Cleft Model

In a relevant in vivo model of cleft palate in the rat, we confirmed the alginate-based hydrogel's biocompatibility and real advantages for tissue healing. Addition of BM-MSCs stimulated bone formation in the center of the implant, demonstrating the new biomaterial's potential for use as a bone substitute grafting material for cleft palate repair.