Objective
To determine whether transplanted human adipose tissue derived stem cells (hATSCs) can survive and increase the amount of proteoglycans in degenerated intervertebral disc. Method: Lumbar disc degeneration was induced in thirty New Zealand white rabbits by injection of chondroitinase ABC^Ⱂ. After 2 weeks, hATSCs were transplanted in degenerated disc in hATSCs group. Control group received phosphate buffered saline. The histologic grading and height of disc were measured at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after transplantation. The viability of donor cells was identified by using β-Actin gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: 4 and 8 weeks after hATSCs transplantation, the histologic grading showed significantly high score in hATSCs group (p＜0.05), but the amount of proteoglycans was not significantly different between the two groups. The change of disc height was not significantly increased in hATSCs group. In the β-Actin gene PCR analysis, positive signal in the hATSCs group was observed. Conclusion: hATSCs transplantation may be useful in decelerating disc degeneration in experimental models and provide new hopes for treatment of degenerative disc disease in humans. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 269-277)