U.S. researchers develop novel method for bone growth

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 30 (Chinese media) -- Researchers at the University of California at San Diego said Friday that they have developed a new way to help accelerate bone growth through the use of nanotubes and stem cells.

This is the first study of its kind using stem cells attached to titanium oxide nanotube implants, said researchers in a press release.

"This new finding could lead to quicker and better recovery, for example, for patients who undergo orthopedic surgery," they said.

Researchers used a nano-bio technology method of placing mesenchymal stem cells on top of very thin titanium oxide nanotubes in order to control the conversion paths, called differentiation, into osteoblasts or bone building cells, according to the release.

Mesenchymal stem cells, which are different from embryonic stem cells, can be extracted and directly supplied from a patient's own bone marrow.

Nanotubes with a larger diameter cause cells growing on their surface to elongate much more than those with a small diameter. The larger diameter nanotube promotes quicker and stronger bone growth, according to the release.

"If you break your knee or leg from skiing, for example, an orthopedic surgeon will implant a titanium rod, and you will be oncrutches for about three months," said Sungho Jin, a materials science professor who took part in the research.

"But what we anticipate through our research is that if the surgeon uses titanium oxide nanotubes with stem cells, the bone healing could be accelerated and a patient may be able to walk in one month instead of being on crunches for three months," said Jin.

"Our in-vitro and in-vivo data indicate that such advantages can occur by using the titanium oxide nanotube treated implants, which can reduce the loosening of bones, one of the major orthopedic problems that necessitate re-surgery operations for hip and other implants for patients," said Jin.

"Such a major re-surgery, especially for older people, is a health risk and significant inconvenience, and is also undesirable from the cost point of view," Jin added.

The use of nano topography to induce preferred differentiation was reported in recent years by other groups, but such studies were done mostly on polymer surfaces, which are not desirable orthopedic implant materials, Jin said.

The next step will be to study ways to translate this breakthrough research to clinical application, said the release.