Synergic effect of combined xenogeneic mesenchymal stem cells and ceftriaxone on acute septic arthritis

Abstract

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that combined ceftriaxone (Cef) and human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCDMSCs) was better than either therapy for alleviating acute septic arthritis (ASA). Methods and results: Adult-male C57BL/6 mice were categorized into control group (Clt), group A (ASA only), group B [ASA + Cef (5 mg/ kg, IM per day, at days 2 to 16 after ASA induction)], group C [ASA + HUCDMSCs (5 × 105 per mice at days 2, 3, 4 after ASA induction)], and group D (ASA + Cef + HUCDMSCs). Animals were euthanized by day 28. The result demonstrated that the body weight was significantly lower, whereas the ratio of kidney or spleen weight to WB, circulatory WBC count, bacterial colony-formation-unit from circulatory/kidney extraction were significantly higher in group A than in other groups (all P < .0001). Conclusion: Combined antibiotics and Cef and HUCDMSCs was superior to just one therapy for suppressing circulatory and tissue levels of inflammation and knee joint destruction in ASA.