Stem cell therapy for fracture non-union: The current evidence from human studies.

Non-union is a taxing complication of fracture management for both the patient and their surgeon. Modern fracture fixation techniques have been developed to optimise the biomechanical environment for fracture healing but do not guarantee union. Patient biology has a critical role in achieving union and stem cell therapy has potential for improving fracture healing at a cellular level to treat or avoid non-union.

The source of cell-free mitochondrial DNA in trauma and potential therapeutic strategies.

Mitochondria play a key role in the pathophysiology of post-injury inflammation. Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) is now understood to catalyse sterile inflammation after trauma. Observations in trauma cohorts have identified high cf-mtDNA in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ failure as well as following major surgery.

Trauma and Stem Cells: Biology and Potential Therapeutic Implications.

Trauma may cause irreversible tissue damage and loss of function despite current best practice. Healing is dependent both on the nature of the injury and the intrinsic biological capacity of those tissues for healing. Preclinical research has highlighted stem cell therapy as a potential avenue for improving outcomes for injuries with poor healing capacity.