Bone marrow concentrate is an advancement in biological medicine which harnesses the body’s natural healing elements for treatment. It is developed from bone marrow aspirate using centrifugation and has shown promise in the fields of osteoarthritis, desmitis, and orthopedic surgery to boost bone and cartilage repair.

Extracting Bone Marrow Concentrate

Bone marrow concentrate (BMC) is produced from bone marrow aspirates – a process which requires the extraction of marrow from a patient’s bone. The marrow is extracted with a procedure known as aspiration, and this marrow – containing potent substances such as mesenchymal stromal cells, anabolic chemokines/cytokines – is then subjected to a process called centrifugation. This technique spins the bone marrow aspirate at high speed to separate its diverse components, subsequently producing BMC.

• Mesenchymal stromal cells – These are fundamentally responsible for the healing and regenerative properties attributed to BMC. They are capable of differentiating into various cell types including bone cells, cartilage cells, and muscle cells, which makes them valuable for therapeutic applications.
• Anabolic chemokines/cytokines – These are signaling proteins that indulge in cellular interactions as well as in the modulation of cell behavior, thereby potentially assisting in the repair of body tissues.
• Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL-1RA) – This protein inhibits the activities of interleukin-1, and is present in higher concentrations in BMC. Since the IL-1RA curbs inflammation and cartilage degeneration, its increased proportions in BMC can be utilized in treatments.

Application of Bone Marrow Concentrate

BMC showcases enormous potential in the treatment of different forms of arthritis and injuries that traditionally necessitated surgery or which did not respond to conventional treatments.

• Arthritis and desmitis treatment – There has been ample research which suggests that BMC helps recover patients suffering from osteoarthritis, mainly by regenerating the damaged cartilage. Similarly, inflammation of ligaments or tendons, known as desmitis, can respond positively to BMC treatment due to its natural healing capabilities.
• Surgery adjunct – The administration of BMC can supplement surgical procedures by enhancing healing and recovery. Its role in promoting bone and cartilage repair post-surgery can reduce convalescence periods and improve surgical outcomes.