Stem cell therapy may be the future of osteoporosis treatment

Most people today who have broken bones that do not heal properly as a result of osteoporosis are given a prescription to buy Actonel, which supports healthy bone regeneration. However, in the future, stem cell treatments may become the new norm for this type of condition.

A team of researchers from the University of North Carolina reported at the recent Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society that stem cells enriched with a hormone called insulin-like growth factor-I, or IGF-I, may support tissue regeneration in bones that refuse to heal properly.

The team tested the IGF-I treatment on a set of lab mice. The results showed that those that were treated healed much faster after a break than those that were not treated with the stem cell therapy.

"More excitingly, we found that stem cells empowered with IGF-I restored the formation of new bone in a mouse lacking the ability to repair broken bones. This is the first evidence that stem cell therapy can address a deficiency of fracture repair," said Anna Spagnoli, who led the investigation.

While the findings represent a possible new course in the treatment of osteoporosis, a viable therapy is still years away. For now, medications like Actonel are the best options for individuals who struggle with the condition.