Stem cells from fat tissue fresh and purified, can grow the bone faster and better than current methods, and could potentially eliminate the need for painful bone grafts , say the authors of a new study.
Mesenchymal stem cells, which are capable of developing bone, cartilage, muscle and other tissues – are abundant in fat and easy to get through procedures like liposuction.
Traditionally, cells extracted from the fat had to be cultured for weeks to isolate stem cells could become bone. However, this process involved risks of infection and genetic instability.
Another method is to grow the bone using cultured cells, called stromal vascular fraction. The problem, however, is that the stromal vascular cells from fat tissue are varied and include cells which can not become bone.
In this study, researchers at the University of California isolated and purified stem cells perivascular (hPSCs) taken from fatty tissue and found that these cells functioned better than vascular stroma cells in bone building.
tests, carried conducted in animals also showed a growth factor called NELL-1 increases bone formation created by hPSCs.
If other studies confirm the efficacy and safety of this method, it may be possible to use hPSCs patient’s own bone to grow into the desired location within the body , according to researchers.
Originally posted 2013-04-12 21:09:24.