Effect of Stem Cell Therapy on Bone Mineral Density: A Meta-Analysis of Preclinical Studies in Animal Models of Osteoporosis |
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Authors: | Feng Li Changlin Zhou Liang Xu Shuqing Tao Jingyi Zhao Qun Gu |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Bone joint surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150086, China;2. Department of emergency surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150086, China;3. Heilongjiang academy of traditional Chinese medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150086, China;Nanjing Medical University, CHINA |
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Abstract: | BackgroundPreclinical studies of the therapeutic role of stem cell based therapy in animal models of osteoporosis have largely yielded inconsistent results. We performed a meta-analysis to provide an overview of the currently available evidence.MethodsPubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for relevant controlled studies. A random-effect model was used for pooled analysis of the effect of stem cell based therapy on bone mineral density (BMD). Stratified analyses were performed to explore the effect of study characteristics on the outcomes.ResultsPooled results from 12 preclinical studies (110 animals in stem cell treatment groups, and 106 animals in control groups) indicated that stem cell based treatment was associated with significantly improved BMD (standardized mean difference SMD] = 1.29, 95% Confidence Interval CI]: 0.84–1.74, P < 0.001) with moderate heterogeneity (Cochrane’s Q test: P = 0.02, I2 = 45%) among the constituent studies. Implantation of bone marrow cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, and human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cells, were all associated with improved BMD as compared to that in the controls (P < 0.05 for all); the only exception being the use of embryonic stem cell transplantation (P > 0.05). Egger’s test detected potential publication bias (P = 0.055); however, ‘trim and fill’ analysis yielded similar results after statistically incorporating the hypothetical studies in the analysis (SMD = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.32–2.16, P < 0.001).ConclusionsStem cell transplantation may improve BMD in animal models of osteoporosis. Our meta-analysis indicates a potential therapeutic role of stem cell based therapy for osteoporosis, and serves to augment the rationale for clinical studies. |
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