The Effects of Human Adipose Tissue Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Degenerative Change of Disc in Rabbit Model

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether transplanted human adipose tissue derived stem cells (hATSCs) can survive and increase the amount of proteoglycans in degenerated intervertebral disc. METHOD: Lumbar disc degeneration was induced in thirty New Zealand white rabbits by injection of chondroitinase ABC(R). After 2 weeks, hATSCs were transplanted in degenerated disc in hATSCs group. Control group received phosphate buffered saline. The histologic grading and height of disc were measured at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after transplantation. The viability of donor cells was identified by using beta-Actin gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: 4 and 8 weeks after hATSCs transplantation, the histologic grading showed significantly high score in hATSCs group (p<0.05), but the amount of proteoglycans was not significantly different between the two groups. The change of disc height was not significantly increased in hATSCs group. In the beta-Actin gene PCR analysis, positive signal in the hATSCs group was observed. CONCLUSION: hATSCs transplantation may be useful in decelerating disc degeneration in experimental models and provide new hopes for treatment of degenerative disc disease in humans