Researchers discover biomaterial capable of regenerating heart tissues

Meghan Stelly, a biology student at Clemson University in South Carolina, USA, and her father Terry Stelly, a cardiovascular surgeon in Alabama, investigated the implantation of biomaterial followed by a saphenous vein bypass and found that the application allowed the body regenerates the tissues of the heart.

The extracellular-biomaterial matrix used is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps regulate cells and can be collected and processed to remove cells and take advantage only of the central structure, which is made of collagen.

The matrix can be used to build a kind of “bioplatform” that, when used in medical implants, allows the patient's cells to reproduce and repair damaged tissue. The researchers had the opportunity to clinically examine a bioplatform implanted five years ago for pericardial closure, followed by bypass surgery.

“The results revealed that the bioplatform turned into a tissue full of cells similar to native pericardial structures. Essentially, the human body has regenerated its own tissue. Whenever we can make the body regenerate the tissue instead of introducing a foreign object the result is better for the patient, ”comments Meghan Stelly.

The research - which was published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery - suggests the long-term effectiveness of this technology for cases where pericardial closure or heart tissue recovery is required.