Co-transplantation of adipose and bone marrow derived stromal cells for treatment of osteonecrosis of femoral head

Osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) is irreversible disease which treatment is almost depending on total joint replacement. The synergistic effect by co-transplantation of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) in enhancing the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) proved in critical sized calvarial defect model of rat in our previous study. In this study, porcine ASCs and BMSCs were co-transplanted to ONFH model of minipig. In the results of X-rays and CT, defect of cells transplantation group was complete healed up with new bone tissue while control group had unfilled bone defect. Histological findings also corroborated the radiological findings. We observed very rapid and good quality osteogenesis in combined ASCs and BMSCs implantation group compared with control group.