Unravelling patient predictors of mesenchymal stem cell expansion in an orthopaedic setting

Participants were later invited to the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility and a range of potential predictor measures collected focused around demographics, body composition, lifestyle and dietary choices, circulating hormone levels and markers of bone turnover. <br><br>These form the basis of the pilot model and using R the sample correlation coefficients between each variable explored and a predictive model defined.The final pilot model consisted of measures of body fat, the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol, physical activity, age and the circulating adipose hormones adiponectin, leptin and obestatin.

This model was unable to produce a statistically significant estimate of the MSC growth, with body fat percentage and physical activity contributing the most significant estimates. The measures of bone turnover appear to have no relationship to MSC growth characteristics within this setting. These finding imply that individuals that are physically active with a relatively low body fat percentage have MSCs which are more proliferative.<br><br>Utilising this model an estimate of the number of participants required to complete a larger study was calculated, 80 further recruitments would be required, and this would not be feasible in Northern Ireland in a reasonable period of time.

Instead, collaborations with international clinical trials may provide an opportunity to develop a database including measures of stem cell efficacy and predictors to further develop a robust predictive model and clinical tool.<br>