Abstract
Introduction In our experimental design we evaluated the osteogenic potential of h-bone marrow (hBM), h-mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-7) and the combination hMSC plus BMP-7. The aim of the study was to define the capacity to elicit bone formation of expanded hMSC alone and associated with BMP-7
Material and methods A rat femoral segmental defect model was used in this study. 12 male athymic rats were used. The institutional Animal Ethics Committee approved the study. Athymic rats test graft groups consisted of: G1-autoclaved bone and h-BM; G2-bone and h-MSC; G3-bone with BMP-7; G4-bone and h-MSC with BMP-7. h-BM aspirates were harvested from iliac crests of patients undergoing to THA. A plate has been fixed on the femurs with four cerclage wires before a femoral gap of 6mm has been realized in the diaphysis. Gap was filled with different graft. Defect was evaluated at 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks after implantation with radiographs. Evaluation of bone graft has been done using a Cook classification. Histological study with toluidine blue and safranine O at 12 weeks has been performed in each group.
Results At 8–12 weeks after surgery G1 shown non visible new bone formation, G2 minimal new disorganized bone and G3 disorganized new bone bridging graft to host at both ends. The G4 group show significant new bone and graft remodelling. Histological analysis confirmed the rx results.
Conclusion The association hMSC plus BMP-7 determines a significant activation of the osteogenic activity at 8 weeks that may have a remarkable impact on the future orthopedic surgery strategies.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
