Enhancement of arsenic trioxide-mediated changes in human induced pluripotent stem cells (IPS).

Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPS) are an artificially derived type of pluripotent stem cell, showing many of the same characteristics as natural pluripotent stem cells. IPS are a hopeful therapeutic model; however there is a critical need to determine their response to environmental toxins. Effects of arsenic on cells have been studied extensively; however, its effect on IPS is yet to be elucidated.

Effects of sustained delivery of IGF-1 in a rat degenerative disc model.

Degenerative disc disease is a leading source of pain as well as increased health care costs in the United States, and research efforts into understanding the pathophysiology of this disease are necessary for the development of new management strategies. Addition of growth factors to stimulate chondrocyte development are on the horizon as new treatment modalities for degenerative disc disease, but increasing growth factor concentrations in the body may have adverse affects on vital organs. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of sustained delivery of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) for treatment of degenerative discs using the adult male rat as a model.