The objective of this project was to evaluate the effects of local endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) therapy on bone regeneration in a segmental defect in the rat femur. Animals from the EPC-treated (N=28) and control (N=28) groups were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, and 10 weeks post-operatively. Bone healing was evaluated with radiographic, histological, and micro computed tomography (micro-CT) scans. Radiographically; mean scores of the EPC group at 1, 2, and 3 weeks were significantly higher compared to control group. At 10 weeks, all the animals in the EPC group had complete union (7/7), but in the control group none achieved union (0/7). Histologically, specimens from EPC-treated animals had abundant new bone formation compared to controls. Micro-CT assessment showed significantly improved parameters of bone healing for the EPC group compared to control group. In conclusion, local EPC therapy significantly enhanced bone regeneration in a segmental bone defect in rat femur.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TORONTO/oai:tspace.library.utoronto.ca:1807/30170 |
| Date | 01 December 2011 |
| Creators | Atesok, Kivanc |
| Contributors | Schemitsch, Emil H. |
| Source Sets | University of Toronto |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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