OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment effect of mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) by autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) in miniature pigs.

METHODSSix miniature pigs with mandibular ORN (25 Gy) were used. BMMSC were separated and cultured in vitro and then implanted on to the premolded hydroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate (HA-TCP). The BMMSC-HA-TCP complexes were implanted into the defective area of mandibular ORN in 4 animals. Implantation of only HA-TCP in 2 animals served as control. Gross observation, spiral CT, coronary CT and histopathologic examination were carried out.

RESULTSFistula disappeared in animals with BMMSC-HA-TCP complexes 3 months after implantation, while fistula was found in controls. Spiral CT analysis showed that cortical bone repair were found 4 months after BMMSC-HA-TCP complexes implantation, while bone damage (cortical and cancellous bone fracture) increased in controls. Histopathologic examination revealed that 4 months later after BMMSC-HA-TCP complexes implantation, new bone formation and bone cells could be observed, but there was a large number of fibrous tissue and no new bone in controls.

CONCLUSIONSTransplantation of autologous BMMSC with HA-TCP may have therapeutic effect in the treatment of mandibular ORN.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Calcium Phosphates ; therapeutic use ; Durapatite ; therapeutic use ; Mandibular Diseases ; therapy ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Osteoradionecrosis ; therapy ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Transplantation, Autologous