Scientists in Japan grow cells to repair spinal fractures

A team from Osaka City University has developed a new method to treat spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis. Researchers used stem cells extracted from fat tissue to stimulate bone growth in laboratory rats with injuries similar to those in humans. The study was published in Bone and Joint Research (BJR).

Osteoporosis makes bones fragile and prone to fractures, especially in the spine. In Japan, the number of such patients is expected to exceed 15 million in the coming years.

Researchers used stem cells from fat tissue, which are easy to obtain even from elderly people and the procedure is minimally invasive. The cells were formed into three-dimensional spheroids, pre-differentiated toward bone cells, and then combined with β-tricalcium phosphate, a material widely used in bone reconstruction.

After transplanting this combination into rats with osteoporotic spinal fractures, there was significant restoration of bone strength and activation of genes responsible for bone regeneration.

“Our study demonstrated the potential of using these cells for spinal fracture treatment. Since the cells are derived from fat tissue, the burden on the body is minimal, and the method is safe for patients,” said lead author Yuta Sawada.

Dr. Shinji Takahashi added that the technique is simple, effective, and may accelerate healing even for complex fractures, offering a new way to prolong active life in elderly patients.