Adult bone marrow contains mesenchymal stem cells (bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells; BMSCs) which contribute to the generation of mesenchymal tissue such as bone, cartilage, muscle and adipose. However, using bone marrow as a source of stem cells has the limitation of a low cell number. An alternate source of adult stem cells that could be obtained in large quantities, under local anesthesia, with minimal discomfort would be advantageous. Human adipose tissue obtained by liposuction was processed to obtain a fibroblast-like population of cells or adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSCs). In this study, we compared the osteogenic differentiation of ATSCs with that of BMSCs. Both cell types were cultured in atelocollagen honeycomb-shaped scaffolds with a membrane seal (ACHMS scaffold) for three-dimensional culturing in a specific osteogenic induction medium. Optimal osteogenic differentiation in both cell types, as determined by alkaline phosphatase cytochemistry, secretion of osteocalcin, mineral (calcium phosphate) deposition and scanning electron microscopy, was obtained with the same three-dimensional culture. Furthermore, osteoblastic lining in vivowas examined using ATSC-seeded or BMSC-seeded scaffolds in nude mice. The present results show that ATSCs have a similar ability to differentiate into osteoblasts to that of BMSCs.
Music therapy (MT) has been used in geriatric nursing hospitals, but there has been no extensive research into whether it actually has beneficial effects on elderly patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and dementia. We investigated the effects of MT on the autonomic nervous system and plasma cytokine and catecholamine levels in elderly patients with CVD and dementia, since these are related to aging and chronic geriatric disease. We also investigated the effects of MT on congestive heart failure (CHF) events.Eighty-seven patients with pre-existing CVD were enrolled in the study. We assigned patients into an MT group (n = 55) and non-MT group (n = 32). The MT group received MT at least once per week for 45 minutes over 10 times. Cardiac autonomic activity was assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). We measured plasma cytokine and catecholamine levels in both the MT group and non-MT group. We compared the incidence of CHF events between these two groups. In the MT group, rMSSD, pNN50, and HF were significantly increased by MT, whereas LF/HF was slightly decreased. In the non-MT group, there were no significant changes in any HRV parameters. Among cytokines, plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the MT group was significantly lower than those in the non-MT group. Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were significantly lower in the MT group than in the non-MT group. CHF events were less frequent in the MT group than in the non-MT group (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that MT enhanced parasympathetic activities and decreased CHF by reducing plasma cytokine and catecholamine levels.
Human adipose tissue, obtained by liposuction, was processed to obtain a fibroblast-like population of cells or adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSCs). The ATSCs, as well as bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), have the capacity for renewal and the potential to differentiate into multiple lineages of mesenchymal tissues. These cells are capable of forming bone when implanted ectopically in an appropriate scaffold. The aim of this study was to evaluate a beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) as a scaffold and to compare the potential of osteogenic differentiation of ATSCs with BMSCs. Both cell types were loaded into beta-TCP disk and cultured in an osteogenic induction medium. Optimal osteogenic differentiation in ATSCs in vitro, as determined by secretion of osteocalcin, scanning electron microscope, and histology, were obtained in the culturing with the beta-TCP disk. Furthermore, bone formation in vivo was examined by using the ATSC- or BMSC-loaded scaffolds in nude mice. The present results show that ATSCs have a similar ability to differentiate into osteoblasts and to synthesize bone in beta-TCP disk as have BMSCs.
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