Bone healing after bone marrow stromal cell transplantation to the bone defect.

In experimental studies on rabbits, osteogenic properties of stromal cells were confirmed after in vitro growth for 7 and 14 d. The cell suspension was percutaneously transplanted into a surgically produced bone defect in the rabbit's radius. The bone scar produced was X-rayed, and histologically and mineralogically examined after 10, 20 and 40 d follow-ups. Differences in the bone defect healing process (the healing rate and the type of bone tissue produced) were shown between the experimental and the control foreleg. Within the experimental foreleg, healing was considerably accelerated with compact bone formation on a membranous matrix, whilst in the control foreleg, a coarse, fibrous woven bone on a cartilaginous matrix was dominant.