Transplantation of Autologous Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Improvement of Quality of Life in Osteoarthritis Patients

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) has been recognized, as the most common inflammatory disease in the world. Adipose Stem Cells (ASCs), as a new feasible source with high numbers of stem cells andproliferative capacity have been used for regenerative medicine. Based immunomodulatory and chondrogenic properties of ASCs, this study aimed to assess intra articular injection of ASC effect on improvement of osteoarthritis signs. Methods and Materials: Adipose tissue samples were obtained from subcutaneous of abdomen. ASCs were isolated and cultured for at least three passages in culture media containing autologous serum and expanded them to 15-20 × 106 cell. The morphology and proliferative potency of ASCs were determined. Immuno phenotype characteristics of ASCs were analyzed by flow-cytometry. Then cell suspensions were injected into knee articular spaces. After 6 months the function of knee was assessed by WOMAC, KOOS, Lysholm and Lequesne indexes. Results: The results of this study showed that homogenous spindle-shape ASCs expanded rapidly with low doubling time. The low expression of CD14 and CD45 indicated that ASCs are non hematopoietic cells and expressed high percentages of CD44, CD105 and CD90. Our results showed that injected ASCs were effective in improvement of OA by scoring systems for evaluation of pain, joint movements and dailyphysical activities were significantly changed due to injection of stem cells. Osteoarthritis severity indexes means of WOMAC and Lequesne were decreased from 53 to 12.3 and 15.1 to 2.1 respectively. Also osteoarthritis improvement indexes Lysholm & KOOS means were significantly increased from 35 to 15.1 and 70 to 126.7 respectively. In six months follow up of intra articular injection of ASCs, we observed no local or systemic side effect. After ASCs injection, walking distance considerably increased. The flexion angle of knee improved by 20-30 degrees compares to before of treatment. Conclusion: Autologous ASCs injection could be resulted in increasing of knee function, alleviated of pain and quality of life improvement.

Keywords:

ASC , Osteoarthritis , Stem cell therapy , Alleviation of pain