New Rat Studies Show Positive Results
According to a new study, bone injuries may repair with better functionality if stems cells are attached to a polymer scaffold. Previously, the polymer scaffold alone was used in repairs.
Orthopedic surgeons are constantly trying to find new and improved ways of treating large scale bone injuries. Commonly, soldiers injured face significant medical interaction to heal such wounds. Bone gaps measuring 8 mm in width were created in lab rats. These gaps were made to simulate severe bone injuries in humans. Two gaps were created in each lab rat. One injury was treated with a polymer scaffold while the other was treated with the same scaffold laden with stem cells. Two types of stem cells – fetal and adult human – were used in treatment.
The injury treated with both stem cells and polymer scaffold showed more bone growth than the scaffold alone. However, treatment with fetal stem cells marked far less bone growth than adult human stem cells. When fetal and adult stem cells were combined and added to the polymer scaffold, significant increases in bone growth were reported.
Using fluorescent quantum dots, scientists measured the fate of the stem cells and the migration patterns away from the injury site. After 10 days, a large number of the stem cells had died thus ending the benefit of added bone growth. Severe bone injuries take far longer than 10 days to heal.
Researchers believe stems cells are the key to regenerating bone and improving functionality after bone injuries, but a new method of delivering those stem cells to the bone needs to be found. Stems cells delivered via the polymer scaffold were not able to stay alive long enough to repair bone gaps 100%. Robert Guldberg, a professor at the school of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech believes adding cues to the scaffold to program stem cells for bone growth may be the answer.
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