Efficacy of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Stromal Vascular Fraction in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Li Bao; Cui Xianghong; Li Han; Liu Ming; Li Haokun; Liu Xinwei; Li Sitong

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of human allogenic umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(UC-MSCs)and autologous fat-derived stromal vascular fraction(SVF)in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.Methods Between January 2020 and June 2021,44 patients with osteoarthritis treated at the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were randomly assigned to two groups:The UC-MSCs group(where UC-MSCs were injected into the articular cavity)and the SVF group(where SVF was injected into the joint cavity).The UC-MSCs group comprised 22 patients,including 8 males and 14 females,with an age range from 46 to 63 years and an average age of(55.6±5.8)years.Of these,13 cases involved the left knee and 9 cases the right knee.The SVF group also had 22 patients,including 10 males and 12 females,with an age range from 48 to 65 years and an average age of(55.2±7.3)years.Within this group,14 cases involved the left knee and 8 cases the right knee.Before injection and at 6 and 12 months post-injection,the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC),Lysholm score,visual analogue scale(VAS),and imaging findings of the affected knee joint were used to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of both treatment methods in managing knee osteoarthritis.Results A total of 40 patients were followed up for a duration ranging from 12 to 21 months,averaging(14.9±5.2)months.However,four cases were lost to follow-up,with one from the UC-MSCs group and three from the SVF group.Preoperatively,there was no statistically significant difference in general information between the two groups(P＞0.05).Post-injection,the WOMAC score,Lysholm score,and VAS of patients in the UC-MSCs group were all superior to those in the SVF group(P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,no serious adverse reactions were observed in either group,but the incidence of adverse reactions in the UC-MSCs group was higher than that in the SVF group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Both formulations are effective in treating knee osteoarthritis.The efficacy of UC-MSCs is superior to SVF,but the incidence of adverse reactions(fever,swelling)after injection is higher than that of SVF.