Steeven Alexander Pinzón Narváez

Regenerative dermatology has emerged as a transformative field that integrates advances in regenerative medicine, molecular biology, and aesthetic dermatology to promote tissue repair through biological rather than purely corrective mechanisms. Among the most promising innovations, exosomes and polynucleotides have attracted considerable scientific attention because of their ability to stimulate fibroblast activity, enhance collagen synthesis, regulate inflammatory responses, promote angiogenesis, and improve extracellular matrix remodeling. The objective of this review was to analyze the current scientific evidence regarding the biological foundations, clinical applications, therapeutic effectiveness, safety profile, and future perspectives of these next-generation regenerative therapies. A narrative literature review was conducted following the scientific method using peer-reviewed publications from major biomedical databases. The available evidence demonstrates encouraging results in facial rejuvenation, photoaging, scar remodeling, chronic wound healing, periocular rejuvenation, and hair restoration, with improvements in skin quality and high patient satisfaction while maintaining a favorable short-term safety profile. Nevertheless, important methodological limitations remain, including heterogeneous treatment protocols, limited randomized clinical trials, and insufficient long-term follow-up. Continued international collaboration, standardized manufacturing processes, rigorous regulatory frameworks, and high-quality multicenter clinical studies will be essential to establish evidence-based therapeutic guidelines and consolidate regenerative dermatology as a mature clinical discipline.

Muscle and tendon injuries remain among the most common causes of functional impairment and time-loss in elite athletes, representing a significant challenge for reconstructive surgery, sports medicine, and rehabilitation. Conventional treatment approaches frequently restore anatomical continuity but may not completely reproduce the biological and biomechanical properties of healthy tissue, increasing the risk of delayed recovery and recurrent injury. In recent years, biological augmentation has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance tissue regeneration through modulation of inflammation, stimulation of angiogenesis, promotion of extracellular matrix remodeling, and improvement of collagen organization. This narrative review critically examined current scientific evidence regarding the biological basis, clinical applications, and therapeutic potential of platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate concentrate, mesenchymal stromal cells, extracellular vesicles, exosomes, biomaterials, and tissue-engineered constructs for the management of muscle and tendon injuries in elite athletes. Current evidence suggests that platelet-rich plasma remains the most extensively investigated biological intervention, whereas cell-based therapies, biomaterials, and exosome-derived approaches continue to demonstrate considerable regenerative potential despite requiring further clinical validation. The findings also emphasize that successful recovery depends not only on biological augmentation but also on accurate diagnosis, individualized patient selection, technically sound reconstructive procedures, structured rehabilitation, progressive mechanical loading, and multidisciplinary clinical management. Although regenerative medicine continues to evolve rapidly, methodological heterogeneity among available studies highlights the need for standardized treatment protocols and large multicenter clinical investigations. Overall, biological augmentation represents a valuable adjunct to contemporary reconstructive strategies, offering new opportunities to improve tissue healing, functional recovery, and safe return to competitive sport in elite athletes.

Long COVID has become a major global health concern due to the persistence of symptoms that continue for weeks or months after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review aimed to compare the clinical manifestations, pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, risk factors, and management strategies of Long COVID in pediatric and adult populations. An integrative literature review was conducted using publications retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and international health organizations, including the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Current evidence indicates that Long COVID is a heterogeneous multisystem condition involving neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and psychological systems. Adults generally present a greater frequency and severity of persistent symptoms; however, children and adolescents also experience clinically significant long-term sequelae that may interfere with growth, education, and psychosocial development. The available evidence supports a multifactorial pathophysiological model involving viral persistence, immune dysregulation, autoimmunity, endothelial dysfunction, dysautonomia, and mitochondrial impairment. Diagnosis remains primarily clinical because no validated biomarker currently exists, making individualized assessment and exclusion of alternative diagnoses essential. Effective management requires multidisciplinary collaboration and rehabilitation strategies adapted to patient age, symptom profile, and functional limitations. Although scientific knowledge has expanded considerably, further standardized prospective studies, particularly in underrepresented regions such as Latin America, are needed to improve diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes.