Consideration of Bone Regeneration Effect of Stem Cells

BACKGROUND: Much controversy exists as to how stem cells efficiently differentiate and regenerate. To research how stem cell origin affects optimal differentiation and regeneration, the authors collected stem cells from bone marrow and fat and compared amounts of bone regeneration from both groups of cells. METHODS: This study used 16 New Zealand white rabbits raised in similar surroundings and conditions. After collecting stem cells from bone marrow and fat, osteoblast generation was induced. In each rabbit, 2 craniectomies (10 × 10 mm) were made into each rabbit's calvarium, and 0.2 mL (1 × 10(6) cells/mL) of bone marrow-derived and adipose-derived stem cells were transplanted into each defect. After 3 and 5 weeks of transplantation, computed tomography was conducted. After 6 weeks, regenerated bone tissue was collected and measured for volume, and biopsy was performed. RESULTS: Both bone marrow- and adipose-derived stem cells were effective in bone regeneration of the defect. Bone marrow stem cells demonstrated greater differentiation into osteoblasts, but there was no difference in the amount of measured regenerated bone volume after 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Adipose-derived stem cells differentiate directly into osteoblasts less often than do bone marrow-derived stem cells. However, the total amount of regenerated bone is almost the same because of the effect of indirect bone regeneration. As adipose-derived stem cells are easily accessible and have the potential to abundantly proliferate into mesenchymal cells, they could be an effective bone regeneration material.