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Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 6, Issue 2 | Pages 73 - 81
1 Feb 2017
Ishihara K Okazaki K Akiyama T Akasaki Y Nakashima Y

Objectives. Osteophytes are products of active endochondral and intramembranous ossification, and therefore could theoretically provide significant efficacy as bone grafts. In this study, we compared the bone mineralisation effectiveness of osteophytes and cancellous bone, including their effects on secretion of growth factors and anabolic effects on osteoblasts. Methods. Osteophytes and cancellous bone obtained from human patients were transplanted onto the calvaria of severe combined immunodeficient mice, with Calcein administered intra-peritoneally for fluorescent labelling of bone mineralisation. Conditioned media were prepared using osteophytes and cancellous bone, and growth factor concentration and effects of each graft on proliferation, differentiation and migration of osteoblastic cells were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, MTS ((3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium)) assays, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and migration assays. Results. After six weeks, the area of mineralisation was significantly higher for the transplanted osteophytes than for the cancellous bone (43803 μm. 2. , . sd. 14660 versus 9421 μm. 2. , . sd. 5032, p = 0.0184, one-way analysis of variance). Compared with cancellous bone, the conditioned medium prepared using osteophytes contained a significantly higher amounts of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (471 pg/ml versus 333 pg/ml, p = 0.0001, Wilcoxon rank sum test), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 (47.75 pg/ml versus 32 pg/ml, p = 0.0214, Wilcoxon rank sum test) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 (314.5 pg/ml versus 191 pg/ml, p = 0.0418, Wilcoxon rank sum test). The stronger effects of osteophytes towards osteoblasts in terms of a higher proliferation rate, upregulation of gene expression of differentiation markers such as alpha-1 type-1 collagen and alkaline phosphate, and higher migration, compared with cancellous bone, was confirmed. Conclusion. We provide evidence of favourable features of osteophytes for bone mineralisation through a direct effect on osteoblasts. The acceleration in metabolic activity of the osteophyte provides justification for future studies evaluating the clinical use of osteophytes as autologous bone grafts. Cite this article: K. Ishihara, K. Okazaki, T. Akiyama, Y. Akasaki, Y. Nakashima. Characterisation of osteophytes as an autologous bone graft source: An experimental study in vivo and in vitro. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:73–81. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.62.BJR-2016-0199.R1


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 7, Issue 2 | Pages 157 - 165
1 Feb 2018
Sun Y Kiraly AJ Sun AR Cox M Mauerhan DR Hanley EN

Objectives. The objectives of this study were: 1) to examine osteophyte formation, subchondral bone advance, and bone marrow lesions (BMLs) in osteoarthritis (OA)-prone Hartley guinea pigs; and 2) to assess the disease-modifying activity of an orally administered phosphocitrate ‘analogue’, Carolinas Molecule-01 (CM-01). Methods. Young Hartley guinea pigs were divided into two groups. The first group (n = 12) had drinking water and the second group (n = 9) had drinking water containing CM-01. Three guinea pigs in each group were euthanized at age six, 12, and 18 months, respectively. Three guinea pigs in the first group were euthanized aged three months as baseline control. Radiological, histological, and immunochemical examinations were performed to assess cartilage degeneration, osteophyte formation, subchondral bone advance, BMLs, and the levels of matrix metalloproteinse-13 (MMP13) protein expression in the knee joints of hind limbs. Results. In addition to cartilage degeneration, osteophytes, subchondral bone advance, and BMLs increased with age. Subchondral bone advance was observed as early as six months, whereas BMLs and osteophytes were both observed mainly at 12 and 18 months. Fibrotic BMLs were found mostly underneath the degenerated cartilage on the medial side. In contrast, necrotic BMLs were found almost exclusively in the interspinous region. Orally administered CM-01 decreased all of these pathological changes and reduced the levels of MMP13 expression. Conclusion. Subchondral bone may play a role in cartilage degeneration. Subchondral bone changes are early events; formation of osteophytes and BMLs are later events in the OA disease process. Carolinas Molecule-01 is a promising small molecule candidate to be tested as an oral disease-modifying drug for human OA therapy. Cite this article: Y. Sun, A. J. Kiraly, A. R. Sun, M. Cox, D. R. Mauerhan, E. N. Hanley Jr. Effects of a phosphocitrate analogue on osteophyte, subchondral bone advance, and bone marrow lesions in Hartley guinea pigs. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:157–165. DOI:10.1302/2046-3758.72.BJR-2017-0253


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 7, Issue 3 | Pages 252 - 262
1 Mar 2018
Nishida K Matsushita T Takayama K Tanaka T Miyaji N Ibaraki K Araki D Kanzaki N Matsumoto T Kuroda R

Objectives. This study aimed to examine the effects of SRT1720, a potent SIRT1 activator, on osteoarthritis (OA) progression using an experimental OA model. Methods. Osteoarthritis was surgically induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus in eight-week-old C57BL/6 male mice. SRT1720 was administered intraperitoneally twice a week after surgery. Osteoarthritis progression was evaluated histologically using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) score at four, eight, 12 and 16 weeks. The expression of SIRT1, matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMTS-5), cleaved caspase-3, PARP p85, and acetylated nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 in cartilage was examined by immunohistochemistry. Synovitis was also evaluated histologically. Primary mouse epiphyseal chondrocytes were treated with SRT1720 in the presence or absence of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and gene expression changes were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results. The OARSI score was significantly lower in mice treated with SRT1720 than in control mice at eight and 12 weeks associated with the decreased size of osteophytes at four and eight weeks. The delayed OA progression in the mice treated with SRT1720 was also associated with increased SIRT1-positive chondrocytes and decreased MMP-13-, ADAMTS-5-, cleaved caspase-3-, PARP p85-, and acetylated NF-κB p65-positive chondrocytes and decreased synovitis at four and eight weeks. SRT1720 treatment partially rescued the decreases in collagen type II alpha 1 (COL2A1) and aggrecan caused by IL-1β, while also reducing the induction of MMP-13 by IL-1β in vitro. Conclusion. The intraperitoneal injection of SRT1720 attenuated experimental OA progression in mice, indicating that SRT1720 could be a new therapeutic approach for OA. Cite this article: K. Nishida, T. Matsushita, K. Takayama, T. Tanaka, N. Miyaji, K. Ibaraki, D. Araki, N. Kanzaki, T. Matsumoto, R. Kuroda. Intraperitoneal injection of the SIRT1 activator SRT1720 attenuates the progression of experimental osteoarthritis in mice. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:252–262. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.73.BJR-2017-0227.R1


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 3, Issue 2 | Pages 32 - 37
1 Feb 2014
Singh A Goel SC Gupta KK Kumar M Arun GR Patil H Kumaraswamy V Jha S

Introduction. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressively debilitating disease that affects mostly cartilage, with associated changes in the bone. The increasing incidence of OA and an ageing population, coupled with insufficient therapeutic choices, has led to focus on the potential of stem cells as a novel strategy for cartilage repair. Methods. In this study, we used scaffold-free mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from bone marrow in an experimental animal model of OA by direct intra-articular injection. MSCs were isolated from 2.8 kg white New Zealand rabbits. There were ten in the study group and ten in the control group. OA was induced by unilateral transection of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint. At 12 weeks post-operatively, a single dose of 1 million cells suspended in 1 ml of medium was delivered to the injured knee by direct intra-articular injection. The control group received 1 ml of medium without cells. The knees were examined at 16 and 20 weeks following surgery. Repair was investigated radiologically, grossly and histologically using haematoxylin and eosin, Safranin-O and toluidine blue staining. Results. Radiological assessment confirmed development of OA changes after 12 weeks. Rabbits receiving MSCs showed a lower degree of cartilage degeneration, osteophyte formation, and subchondral sclerosis than the control group at 20 weeks post-operatively. The quality of cartilage was significantly better in the cell-treated group compared with the control group after 20 weeks. Conclusions. Bone marrow-derived MSCs could be promising cell sources for the treatment of OA. Neither stem cell culture nor scaffolds are absolutely necessary for a favourable outcome. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:32–7


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 84-B, Issue 2 | Pages 289 - 294
1 Mar 2002
Phillips FM Reuben J Wetzel FT

Our study establishes a rabbit model of disc degeneration which requires neither a chemical nor physical injury to the disc. Disc degeneration similar to that seen in man was created at levels proximal (L4-L5) and caudal (L7-S1) to a simulated lumbar fusion and was studied for up to nine months after arthrodesis. Loss of the normal parallel arrangement of collagen bundles within the annular lamellae was observed in intervertebral discs adjacent to the fusion at three months. By six months there was further disorganisation as well as loss of distinction between the lamellae themselves. By nine months the structure of the disc had been replaced by disorganised fibrous tissue, and annular tears were seen. There was an initial cellular proliferative response followed by loss of chondrocytes and notochordal cells in the nucleus pulposus. Degeneration was accompanied by a decrease in the monomer size of proteoglycans. Narrowing of the disc space, endplate sclerosis and the formation of osteophytes at adjacent disc spaces were observed radiologically


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 79-B, Issue 5 | Pages 857 - 865
1 Sep 1997
Boileau P Walch G

We have studied the three-dimensional geometry of the proximal humerus on human cadaver specimens using a digitised measuring device linked to a computer. Our findings demonstrated the variable shape of the proximal humerus as well as its variable dimensions. The articular surface, which is part of a sphere varies individually in its orientation as regards inclination and retroversion, and it has variable medial and posterior offsets. These variations cannot be accommodated by the designs of most contemporary humeral components. Although good clinical results can be achieved with current modular and non-modular components their relatively fixed geometry prevents truly anatomical restoration in many cases. To try to restore the original three-dimensional geometry of the proximal humerus, we have developed a new type of humeral component which is modular and adaptable to the individual anatomy. Such adaptability allows correct positioning of the prosthetic head in relation to an individual anatomical neck, after removal of the marginal osteophytes. The design of this third-generation prosthesis respects the four geometrical variations which have been demonstrated in the present study. These are inclination, retroversion, medial offset and posterior offset


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 7, Issue 11 | Pages 587 - 594
1 Nov 2018
Zhang R Li G Zeng C Lin C Huang L Huang G Zhao C Feng S Fang H

Objectives

The role of mechanical stress and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is important in the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clearly known.

Methods

In this study, TGF-β1 from osteoclasts and knee joints were analyzed using a co-cultured cell model and an OA rat model, respectively. Five patients with a femoral neck fracture (four female and one male, mean 73.4 years (68 to 79)) were recruited between January 2015 and December 2015. Results showed that TGF-β1 was significantly upregulated in osteoclasts by cyclic loading in a time- and dose-dependent mode. The osteoclasts were subjected to cyclic loading before being co-cultured with chondrocytes for 24 hours.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 7, Issue 3 | Pages 244 - 251
1 Mar 2018
Tawonsawatruk T Sriwatananukulkit O Himakhun W Hemstapat W

Objectives

In this study, we compared the pain behaviour and osteoarthritis (OA) progression between anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) and osteochondral injury in surgically-induced OA rat models.

Methods

OA was induced in the knee joints of male Wistar rats using transection of the ACL or induction of osteochondral injury. Changes in the percentage of high limb weight distribution (%HLWD) on the operated hind limb were used to determine the pain behaviour in these models. The development of OA was assessed and compared using a histological evaluation based on the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) cartilage OA histopathology score.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 7, Issue 6 | Pages 414 - 421
1 Jun 2018
Yu CD Miao WH Zhang YY Zou MJ Yan XF

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-126 in the development of osteoarthritis, as well as the potential molecular mechanisms involved, in order to provide a theoretical basis for osteoarthritis treatment and a novel perspective for clinical therapy.

Methods

Human chondrocyte cell line CHON-001 was administrated by different doses of interleukin (IL)-1β to simulate inflammation. Cell viability, migration, apoptosis, IL-6, IL-8, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression, as well as expression of apoptosis-related factors, were measured to assess inflammation. miR-126 expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Cells were then transfected with miR-126 inhibitor to assess the effect of miR-126 on IL-1β-injured CHON-001 cells. Expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) / Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway were measured by Western blot to explore the underlying mechanism through which miR-126 affects IL-1β-induced inflammation.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 7, Issue 5 | Pages 343 - 350
1 May 2018
He A Ning Y Wen Y Cai Y Xu K Cai Y Han J Liu L Du Y Liang X Li P Fan Q Hao J Wang X Guo X Ma T Zhang F

Aim

Osteoarthritis (OA) is caused by complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Epigenetic mechanisms control the expression of genes and are likely to regulate the OA transcriptome. We performed integrative genomic analyses to define methylation-gene expression relationships in osteoarthritic cartilage.

Patients and Methods

Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of articular cartilage from five patients with OA of the knee and five healthy controls was conducted using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (Illumina, San Diego, California). Other independent genome-wide mRNA expression profiles of articular cartilage from three patients with OA and three healthy controls were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Integrative pathway enrichment analysis of DNA methylation and mRNA expression profiles was performed using integrated analysis of cross-platform microarray and pathway software. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was conducted using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID).


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 6, Issue 11 | Pages 612 - 618
1 Nov 2017
Yin C Suen W Lin S Wu X Li G Pan X

Objectives

This study looked to analyse the expression levels of microRNA-140-3p and microRNA-140-5p in synovial fluid, and their correlations to the severity of disease regarding knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Knee joint synovial fluid samples were collected from 45 patients with OA of the knee (15 mild, 15 moderate and 15 severe), ten healthy volunteers, ten patients with gouty arthritis, and ten with rheumatoid arthritis. The Kellgren–Lawrence grading (KLG) was used to assess the radiological severity of knee OA, and the patients were stratified into mild (KLG < 2), moderate (KLG = 2), and severe (KLG > 2). The expression of miR-140-3p and miR-140-5p of individual samples was measured by SYBR Green quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The expression of miR-140-3p and miR-140-5p was normalised to U6 internal control using the 2-△△CT method. All data were processed using SPSS software.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 6, Issue 2 | Pages 98 - 107
1 Feb 2017
Kazemi D Shams Asenjan K Dehdilani N Parsa H

Objectives

Mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various cell types, and thus have emerged as promising alternatives to chondrocytes in cell-based cartilage repair methods. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells combined with platelet rich fibrin on osteochondral defect repair and articular cartilage regeneration in a canine model.

Methods

Osteochondral defects were created on the medial femoral condyles of 12 adult male mixed breed dogs. They were either treated with stem cells seeded on platelet rich fibrin or left empty. Macroscopic and histological evaluation of the repair tissue was conducted after four, 16 and 24 weeks using the International Cartilage Repair Society macroscopic and the O’Driscoll histological grading systems. Results were reported as mean and standard deviation (sd) and compared at different time points between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U test, with a value < 0.05 considered statistically significant.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 1, Issue 11 | Pages 297 - 309
1 Nov 2012
McIlwraith CW Frisbie DD Kawcak CE

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an important cause of pain, disability and economic loss in humans, and is similarly important in the horse. Recent knowledge on post-traumatic OA has suggested opportunities for early intervention, but it is difficult to identify the appropriate time of these interventions. The horse provides two useful mechanisms to answer these questions: 1) extensive experience with clinical OA in horses; and 2) use of a consistently predictable model of OA that can help study early pathobiological events, define targets for therapeutic intervention and then test these putative therapies. This paper summarises the syndromes of clinical OA in horses including pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment, and details controlled studies of various treatment options using an equine model of clinical OA.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 5, Issue 1 | Pages 1 - 10
1 Jan 2016
Burghardt RD Manzotti A Bhave A Paley D Herzenberg JE

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the results and complications of tibial lengthening over an intramedullary nail with treatment using the traditional Ilizarov method.

Methods

In this matched case study, 16 adult patients underwent 19 tibial lengthening over nails (LON) procedures. For the matched case group, 17 patients who underwent 19 Ilizarov tibial lengthenings were retrospectively matched to the LON group.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 4, Issue 4 | Pages 56 - 64
1 Apr 2015
Lv YM Yu QS

Objectives

The major problem with repair of an articular cartilage injury is the extensive difference in the structure and function of regenerated, compared with normal cartilage. Our work investigates the feasibility of repairing articular osteochondral defects in the canine knee joint using a composite lamellar scaffold of nano-ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP)/collagen (col) I and II with bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs) and assesses its biological compatibility.

Methods

The bone–cartilage scaffold was prepared as a laminated composite, using hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nano-HAP)/collagen I/copolymer of polylactic acid–hydroxyacetic acid as the bony scaffold, and sodium hyaluronate/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as the cartilaginous scaffold. Ten-to 12-month-old hybrid canines were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. BMSCs were obtained from the iliac crest of each animal, and only those of the third generation were used in experiments. An articular osteochondral defect was created in the right knee of dogs in both groups. Those in the experimental group were treated by implanting the composites consisting of the lamellar scaffold of ß-TCP/col I/col II/BMSCs. Those in the control group were left untreated.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 4, Issue 1 | Pages 6 - 10
1 Jan 2015
Goudie ST Deakin AH Deep K

Objectives

Acetabular component orientation in total hip arthroplasty (THA) influences results. Intra-operatively, the natural arthritic acetabulum is often used as a reference to position the acetabular component. Detailed information regarding its orientation is therefore essential. The aim of this study was to identify the acetabular inclination and anteversion in arthritic hips.

Methods

Acetabular inclination and anteversion in 65 symptomatic arthritic hips requiring THA were measured using a computer navigation system. All patients were Caucasian with primary osteoarthritis (29 men, 36 women). The mean age was 68 years (SD 8). Mean inclination was 50.5° (SD 7.8) in men and 52.1° (SD 6.7) in women. Mean anteversion was 8.3° (SD 8.7) in men and 14.4° (SD 11.6) in women.


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 92-B, Issue 12 | Pages 1710 - 1716
1 Dec 2010
Chia W Pan R Tseng F Chen Y Feng C Lee H Chang D Sytwu H

The patellofemoral joint is an important source of symptoms in osteoarthritis of the knee. We have used a newly designed surgical model of patellar strengthening to induce osteoarthritis in BALB/c mice and to establish markers by investigating the relationship between osteoarthritis and synovial levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Osteoarthritis was induced by using this microsurgical technique under direct vision without involving the cavity of the knee. Degeneration of cartilage was assessed by the Mankin score and synovial tissue was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of MMPs. Irrigation fluid from the knee was used to measure the concentrations of MMP-3 and MMP-9. Analysis of cartilage degeneration was correlated with the levels of expression of MMP.

After operation the patellofemoral joint showed evidence of mild osteoarthritis at eight weeks and further degenerative changes by 12 weeks. The level of synovial MMP-9 mRNA correlated with the Mankin score at eight weeks, but not at 12 weeks. The levels of MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-14 mRNA correlated with the Mankin score at 12 weeks. An increase in MMP-3 was observed from four weeks up to 16 weeks. MMP-9 was notably increased at eight weeks, but the concentration at 16 weeks had decreased to the level observed at four weeks.

Our observations suggest that MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-14 could be used as markers of the progression of osteoarthritic change.


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 92-B, Issue 1 | Pages 164 - 168
1 Jan 2010
Chen MR Huang JI Victoroff BN Cooperman DR

In an osteological collection of 3100 specimens, 70 were found with unilateral clavicular fractures which were matched with 70 randomly selected normal specimens. This formed the basis of a study of the incidence of arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint and the effect of clavicular fracture on the development of arthritis in the ipsilateral acromioclavicular joint. This was graded visually on a severity scale of 0 to 3. The incidence of moderate to severe arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint in normal specimens was 77% (100 specimens). In those with a clavicular fracture, 66 of 70 (94%) had arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint, compared to 63 of 70 (90%) on the non-injured contralateral side (p = 0.35).

Clavicles with shortening of 15 mm or less had no difference in the incidence of arthritis compared to those with shortening greater than 15 mm (p = 0.25). The location of the fracture had no effect on the development of arthritis.


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 91-B, Issue 12 | Pages 1638 - 1640
1 Dec 2009
Pichler W Weinberg AM Grechenig S Tesch NP Heidari N Grechenig W

Intra-articular punctures and injections are performed routinely on patients with injuries to and chronic diseases of joints, to release an effusion or haemarthrosis, or to inject drugs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of placement of the needle during this procedure.

A total of 76 cadaver acromioclavicular joints were injected with a solution containing methyl blue and subsequently dissected to distinguish intra- from peri-articular injection. In order to assess the importance of experience in achieving accurate placement, half of the injections were performed by an inexperienced resident and half by a skilled specialist. The specialist injected a further 20 cadaver acromioclavicular joints with the aid of an image intensifier. The overall frequency of peri-articular injection was much higher than expected at 43% (33 of 76) overall, with 42% (16 of 38) by the specialist and 45% (17 of 38) by the resident. The specialist entered the joint in all 20 cases when using the image intensifier.

Correct positioning of the needle in the joint should be facilitated by fluoroscopy, thereby guaranteeing an intra-articular injection.


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 92-B, Issue 5 | Pages 726 - 736
1 May 2010
Hee HT Ismail HD Lim CT Goh JCH Wong HK

Although success has been achieved with implantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) in degenerative discs, its full potential may not be achieved if the harsh environment of the degenerative disc remains. Axial distraction has been shown to increase hydration and nutrition. Combining both therapies may have a synergistic effect in reversing degenerative disc disease. In order to evaluate the effect of bMSC implantation, axial distraction and combination therapy in stimulating regeneration and retarding degeneration in degenerative discs, we first induced disc degeneration by axial loading in a rabbit model.

The rabbits in the intervention groups performed better with respect to disc height, morphological grading, histological scoring and average dead cell count. The groups with distraction performed better than those without on all criteria except the average dead cell count.

Our findings suggest that bMSC implantation and distraction stimulate regenerative changes in degenerative discs in a rabbit model.