Bone marrow stromal cell therapy improves femoral bone mineral density and mechanical strength in ovariectomized rats

This study aimed to determine the influence of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) on the degree and sustainability of ovariectomy-induced bone loss.

Allogenic BMSC were injected into either the left or right femur of 15 ovariectomized rats (OVX). Saline was injected into the contralateral femur as a vehicle control. Five rats were killed at 8 weeks and 5 rats at 24 weeks. The other five OVX rats received serial injections 4 weeks after the first injection and were killed 24 weeks after the first injection. To confirm osteoporotic model, five rats received sham operation. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptometry. Mechanical properties were evaluated by three-point bending.

The OVX rats showed significantly lower BMD compared with that of the sham operated rats. BMD at the femoral mid-shaft was significantly greater in the BMSC-injected bones compared with the control bones. At week 8, ultimate load and stiffness were also improved in the BMSC-injected bones compared with controls. At 24 weeks, the stiffness of control and BMSC-injected bones was statistically indistinguishable. The additional injection aided preservation of both BMD and mechanical properties.

The present study suggests that bone strength may be improved by direct BMSC injection.