Researchers in Osaka have found that stem cells from fat tissue can repair spinal fractures similar to those caused by osteoporosis. By turning these cells into bone-forming clusters and pairing them with a bone-rebuilding material, rats regained stronger, healthier spines. The approach could offer a safe, minimally invasive alternative for treating bone diseases in humans.
FULL STORY
Japanese scientists have developed a fat-derived stem cell therapy that successfully heals spinal fractures in rats. This innovative, low-stress treatment could revolutionize osteoporosis care and bone regeneration in the elderly. Credit: Shutterstock
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a promising new method to repair spinal fractures using stem cells extracted from adipose tissue, or body fat. In animal studies, the treatment successfully healed spinal injuries in rats that mimic osteoporosis-related fractures seen in humans. Because these cells are easy to collect, even from older adults, and cause minimal strain on the body, the technique could provide a gentle, non-invasive alternative for treating bone diseases.
Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. As Japan's population continues to age, the number of people affected is projected to surpass 15 million. Among the various types of fractures caused by osteoporosis, compression fractures of the spine, known as osteoporotic vertebral fractures, are the most common. These injuries can result in long-term disability and severely reduce quality of life, highlighting the need for safer and more effective treatments.
How Fat-Derived Stem Cells Help Rebuild Bone
Stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ADSCs) show strong potential for repairing bone damage. These multipotent cells can develop into various types of tissue, including bone. When ADSCs are cultivated into three-dimensional spherical groups called spheroids, their ability to promote tissue repair increases. Pre-differentiating these spheroids toward bone-forming cells further enhances their effectiveness in stimulating bone regeneration.
Led by Graduate School of Medicine student Yuta Sawada and Dr. Shinji Takahashi, the Osaka research team used ADSCs to create bone-differentiated spheroids and combined them with β-tricalcium phosphate, a material commonly used in bone reconstruction. The mixture was applied to rats with spinal fractures, resulting in significant improvements in bone healing and strength.
The researchers also observed that genes responsible for bone formation and regeneration became more active after the treatment, suggesting that the approach stimulates the body's natural healing processes.
Promising Outlook for Future Treatments
"This study has revealed the potential of bone differentiation spheroids using ADSCs for the development of new treatments for spinal fractures," said Sawada. "Since the cells are obtained from fat, there is little burden on the body, ensuring patient safety."
Dr. Takahashi added, "This simple and effective method can treat even difficult fractures and may accelerate healing. This technique is expected to become a new treatment that helps extend the healthy life of patients."
The findings were published in Bone & Joint Research.
Yuta Sawada, Shinji Takahashi, Kumi Orita, Akito Yabu, Masayoshi Iwamae, Yuki Okamura, Yuto Kobayashi, Hiroshi Taniwaki, Hiroaki Nakamura, Hidetomi Terai. Development of a new treatment for osteoporotic vertebral fractures using adipose-derived stem cell spheroids. Bone, 2025; 14 (10): 915 DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.1410.BJR-2025-0092.R1[2]
Cite This Page:
Osaka Metropolitan University. "Scientists turn body fat into bone to heal spinal fractures." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 November 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005949.htm>.
Osaka Metropolitan University. (2025, November 11). Scientists turn body fat into bone to heal spinal fractures. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 11, 2025 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005949.htm
Osaka Metropolitan University. "Scientists turn body fat into bone to heal spinal fractures." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005949.htm (accessed November 11, 2025).
Jan. 28, 2025 Researchers have combined injections of a novel hydrogel with systemic osteoporosis drugs in rats, achieving rapid local increases in bone density. The results offer hope for future fracture ...
June 18, 2024 Osteoporosis or the weakening of bones makes the aging population vulnerable to fractures and a decreased quality of life. The parathyroid hormone (PTH)-derived peptide -- teriparatide has ...
May 8, 2024 A tiny, flexible electronic device that wraps around the spinal cord could represent a new approach to the treatment of spinal injuries, which can cause profound disability and paralysis. A team of ...
May 6, 2024 A team of scientists has developed a new AI software tool called 'BANKSY' that automatically recognizes the cell types present in a tissue, such as muscle cells, nerve cells and fat cells. ...
July 19, 2023 As life expectancy increases worldwide, age-associated diseases such as osteoporosis are having an increasing impact. Although early detection could help physicians intervene as soon as possible -- ...
May 5, 2021 Current guidelines for managing osteoporosis specifically call out hip or spine fractures for increasing the risk for subsequent bone breaks. But a new study suggests that fractures in the arm, ...
Researchers in Osaka have found that stem cells from fat tissue can repair spinal fractures similar to those caused by osteoporosis. By turning these cells into bone-forming clusters and pairing them with a bone-rebuilding material, rats regained stronger, healthier spines. The approach could offer a safe, minimally invasive alternative for treating bone diseases in humans.
FULL STORY
Japanese scientists have developed a fat-derived stem cell therapy that successfully heals spinal fractures in rats. This innovative, low-stress treatment could revolutionize osteoporosis care and bone regeneration in the elderly. Credit: Shutterstock
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a promising new method to repair spinal fractures using stem cells extracted from adipose tissue, or body fat. In animal studies, the treatment successfully healed spinal injuries in rats that mimic osteoporosis-related fractures seen in humans. Because these cells are easy to collect, even from older adults, and cause minimal strain on the body, the technique could provide a gentle, non-invasive alternative for treating bone diseases.
Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. As Japan's population continues to age, the number of people affected is projected to surpass 15 million. Among the various types of fractures caused by osteoporosis, compression fractures of the spine, known as osteoporotic vertebral fractures, are the most common. These injuries can result in long-term disability and severely reduce quality of life, highlighting the need for safer and more effective treatments.
How Fat-Derived Stem Cells Help Rebuild Bone
Stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ADSCs) show strong potential for repairing bone damage. These multipotent cells can develop into various types of tissue, including bone. When ADSCs are cultivated into three-dimensional spherical groups called spheroids, their ability to promote tissue repair increases. Pre-differentiating these spheroids toward bone-forming cells further enhances their effectiveness in stimulating bone regeneration.
Led by Graduate School of Medicine student Yuta Sawada and Dr. Shinji Takahashi, the Osaka research team used ADSCs to create bone-differentiated spheroids and combined them with β-tricalcium phosphate, a material commonly used in bone reconstruction. The mixture was applied to rats with spinal fractures, resulting in significant improvements in bone healing and strength.
The researchers also observed that genes responsible for bone formation and regeneration became more active after the treatment, suggesting that the approach stimulates the body's natural healing processes.
Promising Outlook for Future Treatments
"This study has revealed the potential of bone differentiation spheroids using ADSCs for the development of new treatments for spinal fractures," said Sawada. "Since the cells are obtained from fat, there is little burden on the body, ensuring patient safety."
Dr. Takahashi added, "This simple and effective method can treat even difficult fractures and may accelerate healing. This technique is expected to become a new treatment that helps extend the healthy life of patients."
The findings were published in Bone & Joint Research.
Yuta Sawada, Shinji Takahashi, Kumi Orita, Akito Yabu, Masayoshi Iwamae, Yuki Okamura, Yuto Kobayashi, Hiroshi Taniwaki, Hiroaki Nakamura, Hidetomi Terai. Development of a new treatment for osteoporotic vertebral fractures using adipose-derived stem cell spheroids. Bone, 2025; 14 (10): 915 DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.1410.BJR-2025-0092.R1[2]
Cite This Page:
Osaka Metropolitan University. "Scientists turn body fat into bone to heal spinal fractures." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 November 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005949.htm>.
Osaka Metropolitan University. (2025, November 11). Scientists turn body fat into bone to heal spinal fractures. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 11, 2025 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005949.htm
Osaka Metropolitan University. "Scientists turn body fat into bone to heal spinal fractures." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005949.htm (accessed November 11, 2025).
Jan. 28, 2025 Researchers have combined injections of a novel hydrogel with systemic osteoporosis drugs in rats, achieving rapid local increases in bone density. The results offer hope for future fracture ...
June 18, 2024 Osteoporosis or the weakening of bones makes the aging population vulnerable to fractures and a decreased quality of life. The parathyroid hormone (PTH)-derived peptide -- teriparatide has ...
May 8, 2024 A tiny, flexible electronic device that wraps around the spinal cord could represent a new approach to the treatment of spinal injuries, which can cause profound disability and paralysis. A team of ...
May 6, 2024 A team of scientists has developed a new AI software tool called 'BANKSY' that automatically recognizes the cell types present in a tissue, such as muscle cells, nerve cells and fat cells. ...
July 19, 2023 As life expectancy increases worldwide, age-associated diseases such as osteoporosis are having an increasing impact. Although early detection could help physicians intervene as soon as possible -- ...
May 5, 2021 Current guidelines for managing osteoporosis specifically call out hip or spine fractures for increasing the risk for subsequent bone breaks. But a new study suggests that fractures in the arm, ...
