Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2011, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (6): 1024-1029.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2011.06.017

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Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in rabbit knee joints: Magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage thickness and synovium volume of the knee joints

Cui Yan-an1, Liu Zhao1, Liu Hong-xia1, Huang Hai-qing1, Zhang Quan-bin2   

  1. 1Department of MR, Jiangsu Province Hospital of TCM, Nanjing  210029, Jiangsu Province, China
    2Department of Orthopaedics, Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing  210006, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Received:2010-07-15 Revised:2010-12-22 Online:2011-02-05 Published:2011-02-05
  • About author:Cui Yan-an, Associate chief physician, Department of MR, Jiangsu Province Hospital of TCM, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China cya6902@sohu.com
  • Supported by:

    the General Program of Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, No. BK2009460*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have immunoregulatory functions and the potential multiple differentiations. It can inhibit inflammatory reaction of rheumatoid arthritis and promote the repair of cartilage damage.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the thickness of cartilage and the volume of synovium in MRI to analyze the effects of BMSCs transplantation on treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis in rabbits.
METHODS: Forty-two New Zealand white rabbits were induced by injecting ovalbumin into right knee joints. MR and pathology examination of knee joints in six rabbits were done at 4 weeks after injection (before treatment). The remaining thirty-six rabbits were randomly and equally divided into model group and BMSCs treatment group. MR and pathology examination of knee joints of 6 rabbits from either group were done at 1, 2, 3 months after injection. The thickness of cartilage and the volume of synovium of the knee joints were measured by MRI, and pathohistological changes were observed as well.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Model group after 1, 2, 3 months treatment showed synovium thickening and cartilage thinning, and higher pathological scores, and exhibited synovium thinning and cartilage thickening, and lower pathological scores in BMSCs treatment group. The correlation between MRI and pathology was remarkable. These indicated that MRI can show the effect of BMSCs on the early rheumatoid arthritis.

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