Effects of Low Intensity Ultrasound on the Chondrogenic Differentiation of Adult Stem Cells From Adipose Tissue

Abstract

Background: Adult stem cells from adipose tissue can be used in tissue engineering because of their capacity to differentiate into chondrocytes. Low intensity ultrasound (LIUS) as a physical chondrogenic inducer differentiates adipose stem cells (ASC) into chondrocyte the same as transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). However the stage of differentiation and hypertrophy of chondrocytes by LIUS have not yet been studied. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of LIUS on hypertrophic states of differentiated chondrocytes. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, ASCs were cultured in chondrogenic differentiation medium (10 ng/mL of TGFβ) with or without LIUS stimulation for two weeks. The ultrasound signal was applied at an intensity of 200 mW/cm 2 for 10