Applications of exogenous mesenchymal stem cells and low intensity pulsed ultrasound enhance fracture healing in rat model.
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of combined treatment of exogenous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on fracture healing by comparing LIPUS-MSC, MSC and control (CTL) groups. Radiography and quantitative callus width/area demonstrated that the MSC-LIPUS group had the best healing, MSC group the second and CTL group the poorest with significant differences among each at different time points. Micro-CT data supported that MSC-LIPUS had the highest bone volume/tissue volume. Histomorphometry showed a significantly faster remodeling in late phase in MSC-LIPUS and MSC groups. These indicated that the combined treatment of MSCs and LIPUS was beneficial to fracture healing. Regenerative power and homing ability of MSCs were shown by promotion in fracture healing and locally found green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled MSCs at fracture calluses. This evidence reflects that co-treatment of MSCs and LIPUS may be developed as an intervention for delayed union or nonunion.
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China. louis@ort.cuhk.edu.hk
Wing-Hoi
WH
Cheung
Wai-Ching
WC
Chin
Fang-Yuan
FY
Wei
Gang
G
Li
Kwok-Sui
KS
Leung
D000818:Animals; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins