Results of a new study suggest that one day it may be possible to treat serious fractures or bone disorders such as osteoporosis by growing new bone from the patients own fat cells. A recent study by a group of scientists across the US revealed that Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Cells could provide doctors with an abundant supply of cells capable of producing proteins that make up the matrix of bone and forming the calcium crystals vital for bone structure. Until now, scientists believed that Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Cells could only turn into the fat cells that appear when we gain weight. If animal studies of the technique are successful, the researchers believe that fat cells could replace the need for the metal, plastic, cement, or other nonbiologic materials that are currently used to replace bone.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.bioexchange.com on the 18th December 2001
