J Orthop Res. 2010 May;28(5):623-30 Authors: Watanabe T, Sakai D, Yamamoto Y, Iwashina T, Serigano K, Tamura F, Mochida J Activated nucleus pulposus (NP) cells can be reinserted into the disc to inhibit intervertebral disc degeneration. Experimental studies in animals showed that using a coculture system with direct cell-to-cell contact with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)…

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2009 Nov;23(11):1355-9 Authors: Tan S, Jia C, Liu Z, Liu R, Yang J, Zhang L, Shou F, Ju X OBJECTIVE: To explore the survival time of autogeneic BMSCs labeled by superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) in rabbit intervertebral discs and the rule of migration so as to…

Eur Spine J. 2010 Apr;19(4):601-12 Authors: Omlor GW, Bertram H, Kleinschmidt K, Fischer J, Brohm K, Guehring T, Anton M, Richter W Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration involves a series of biochemical and morphological changes leading to loss of spinal stability and flexibility. Cell therapy is promising to reconstitute IVDs with new cells, however, sustained metabolic…

Injury. 2009 Dec;40 Suppl 3:S17-20 Authors: Obert L, Lepage D, Gindraux F, Garbuio P Different options are reviewed in the field of musculoskeletal tissue reconstruction, from the addition of biological actors (cells, growth factors, biological or artificial scaffolds) to the application of gene therapy or tissue engineering. Growth factors can enable innovative solutions to treat…

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010 May 15;35(11):E475-80 Authors: Yoshikawa T, Ueda Y, Miyazaki K, Koizumi M, Takakura Y STUDY DESIGN: Marrow mesenchymal cells (MSCs) contain stem cells and possess the ability to regenerate bone, cartilage, and fibrous tissues. Here, we applied this regenerative ability to intervertebral disc regeneration therapy in an attempt to develop a…

J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2010 May;92(5):726-36 Authors: Hee HT, Ismail HD, Lim CT, Goh JC, Wong HK Although success has been achieved with implantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) in degenerative discs, its full potential may not be achieved if the harsh environment of the degenerative disc remains. Axial distraction has been…

Int J Artif Organs. 2010 Apr;33(4):244-52 Authors: Ehlicke F, Freimark D, Heil B, Dorresteijn A, Czermak P INTRODUCTION: One common cause of disability in modern society is low back pain. The main reason for this pain is the degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD), particularly of the nucleus pulposus (NP). For the early degeneration stage,…

J Orthop Res. 2010 Oct;28(10):1267-1275 Authors: Serigano K, Sakai D, Hiyama A, Tamura F, Tanaka M, Mochida J Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) inhibits the progression of disc degeneration in animal models. We know of no study to determine the optimal number of cells to transplant into the degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD). To determine…

Neurosurgery. 2010 Sep 23; Authors: Okada S, Maeda T, Saiwai H, Ohkawa Y, Shiba K, Iwamoto Y BACKGROUND:: Reports on ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the lumbar spine have so far been limited. OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate surgically documented cases of lumbar OPLL at our facility to clarify its characteristics and analyze clinical…