ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Adipose-derived stem cells discovered recently are a new kind of adult stem cells, and have a strong multi-differentiation capacity. However, there are rare studies concerning in vivo osteogenic capacity of adipose-derived stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of adipose-derived stem cells combined with gelatin sponge on repairing bone defects. METHODS:Adipose-derived stem cells from rabbit inguinal fat pads were isolated and cultured, and then induced using an osteogenic medium containing bone morphogenetic protein 2 fol owed by injection of gelatin sponge. Radial defect models of rabbits were prepared. Compound of adipose-derived stem cel s and gelatin sponge was implanted into the lesion side, while gelatin sponge alone was implanted into the contralateral side. Rabbits were kil ed at weeks 6 and 12 after bone defect repair for X-ray examination, CT scan, and hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Lane-Sandhu X-ray and Lane-Sandhu histological scores after compound implantation were significantly higher than those after repair with gelatin sponge alone. It indicates that adipose-derived stem cel s combined with gelatin sponge can promote bone defect healing of rabbits, showing an obvious osteogenic capacity in vivo.