Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Synovium and Fat Pad are Able to Treat Induced Ankle Osteoarthritis in Rats?

CATEGORY: Ankle Arthritis; Ankle; Basic Sciences/Biologics INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease and a significant cause of joint pain, tenderness, and limitation of motion. At present, no specific treatment is available and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promising potentials in this regard. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the repairing potentials of stem cells derived from synovium and fat pad in treatment of OA in ankle joint. METHODS: Twenty-eight male rats (220+-20 g, aged 10-12 weeks), were randomly divided into four groups (n=7): C1: non- treated, C2: Hyalgan treated, E1: Adipose-tissue derived stem cell treated, and E2: synovial-membrane based stem cell treated groups. Collagenase type II enzyme was injected into the left ankle; after eight weeks, OA was developed. Then, stem cells were injected and rats were followed for three months. Afterwards, rats were euthanized and specimens and radiological images were provided. P-value<=0.05 was set as statistically significant. RESULTS: Compared to C1, E1 and E2 groups showed significantly better results in all pathological criteria including surface, matrix, cell distribution, cell population viability, subchondral bone, and cartilage mineralization as well as joint space width and osteophytes developed in the joint (p<=0.001). Similarly, compared to C2 group, E1 and E2 had better scores regarding surface, matrix, cell distribution, and cell population viability (p<0.05). E2 showed considerably higher scores compared to C2 regarding subchondral bone and cartilage mineralization (p<0.05). Joint space width was similar between C2 and E groups. CONCLUSION: Treatment of OA of ankle with MSCs, particularly synovial-membrane derived stem cells, not only prevented but also healed OA to some extent in comparison to Hyalgan and non-treatment groups.