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.

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.