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Updated: Apr 8, 2026
Treatment of Osteochondral Defects in the Rabbit's Knee Joint by Implantation of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Fibrin Clots
Published on: May 21, 2013
Effect of mesenchymal stromal cells for articular cartilage degeneration treatment: a meta-analysis
Shuchai Xu1, Hongliang Liu1, Yuzhou Xie1
1Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, Ersha Island Branch Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Background Aims:
Articular cartilage is an avascular tissue that has limited capacity for self-repair. Mesenchymal stromal cells have been considered as potential candidates for cartilage regeneration. However, clinical results of cartilage formation with the use of these cells need evaluation. We aimed to assess the effect of mesenchymal stromal cell treatment on articular cartilage defects.
Methods:
We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials with key words including "cartilage," "clinical trial," "mesenchymal," "stromal" and "stem cell" up to December 3, 2014. We selected the controlled trial that used treatment with mesenchymal stromal cells on cartilage injury compared with other treatment. We assessed the results of the meta-analysis by means of the error matrix approach. The outcome measures were ranked as comprehensive evaluation index, highest relevance; unilateral evaluation index, medial relevance; and single evaluation index, lowest relevance.
Results:
Eleven trials assessing 558 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Stem cell treatment significantly improved the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Scale (Standard Mean Difference, SMD, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52 to 1.29). The Osteo-Arthritis Outcome Score was also significantly improved in stem cell treatment (SMD, 2.81; 95% CI, 2.02 to 3.60). Other comprehensive evaluation indexes, such as the American Knee Society Knee Score System (SMD -0.12, 95% CI, -1.02 to 0.78), the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Rating Scale (SMD, 0.24, 95% CI, -0.56 to 1.05) and the International Knee Documentation Committee (SMD, -0.21; 95% CI, -0.77 to 0.34), appeared to have no significant differences by use of stem cell and other treatments. Overall, there was no obvious advantage regarding the application of stem cells to treat cartilage injury, compared with other treatments.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, assessment of the comprehensive evaluation index indicated that there were no significant differences after stem cell treatment. However, assessment of clinical symptoms and cartilage morphology showed significant improvement after stem cell treatment.
Insights
Mesenchymal stromal cell treatment showed no overall advantage for cartilage repair compared to other methods. However, it did significantly improve clinical symptoms and cartilage morphology in patients with knee injuries.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Articular cartilage has limited self-repair capacity due to its avascular nature.
- Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are investigated for cartilage regeneration.
- Clinical efficacy of MSCs for cartilage repair requires thorough evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stromal cell treatment on articular cartilage defects.
- To evaluate the clinical outcomes of MSCs in cartilage regeneration through a meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to December 2014.
- Controlled trials comparing MSC treatment for cartilage injury against other treatments were selected.
- Meta-analysis was performed using the error matrix approach, ranking outcome measures by relevance.
Main Results:
- Eleven trials involving 558 patients were analyzed.
- MSC treatment significantly improved the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Scale and Osteo-Arthritis Outcome Score.
- No significant differences were observed in other comprehensive evaluation indexes, suggesting no overall advantage over other treatments for cartilage injury.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive evaluation indexes showed no significant differences following MSC treatment.
- However, clinical symptoms and cartilage morphology demonstrated significant improvement with MSC treatment.
- The study highlights a nuanced effect of MSCs, with benefits in specific clinical and morphological outcomes.
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