New research from scientists in Canada has shown that injections of stem cells can improve the quality of brittle bones in mice. This promising stem cell research may lead to a treatment for age-related osteoarthritis, which affects millions of people around the world.
The Ottawa research team injected mice that were prone to osteoarthritis with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to see what effect it would have on their bones. After six months, the bones looked healthier than those in mice who did not have the injection. This promising stem cell research was published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine.
An estimated 200 million people around the world are afflicted with osteoarthritis, which causes joint pain, stiffness, loss of flexibility and bone spurs. The condition causes the inner structure of the bone to deteriorate. This deterioration causes bones to become very weak and brittle, greatly increasing the risk of bone fractures or breakages.
The lead researcher is particularly excited about this promising stem cell research because his brother is afflicted by a condition that causes a lack of bone density. Mesenchymal stem cells may potentially be able to refinance his brother’s bones and reduce the risk of breakages.
There are many potential uses of stem cells on the horizon, including repairing cardiac damage after a heart attack, restoring the eyesight of blind people and reducing brain damage that occurs after a stroke.
There are other trials that use mesenchymal stem cells to repair bones already underway in the United States. The Canadian scientists hope to benefit from the results of these trials to improve the treatment and get it approved for use on humans. Large clinical trials are expected to begin within 5-years.
Source: Promising Stem Cell Research Could Give New Life to Brittle Bones
{{cta(‘010124f3-c9bc-4a23-b9fc-74953e6288c9’)}}