Fig. 4

Micro-CT and three-point bending mechanical testing. a BV in the PBS control group was significantly lower than that of the MSC systemic injection group (P < 0.05) and the MSC local injection group (P < 0.05). b BV/TV in the MSC local injection group was significantly higher than that of the PBS control group (P < 0.05). c E-Modulus in the MSC local injection group was significantly higher than that of the PBS control group (P < 0.05). d Ultimate load to failure in the MSC systemic injection group was significantly higher than that of the PBS control group (P < 0.05), and the MSC local injection group was significantly higher than that of the PBS control group (P < 0.05). e Energy absorbed to failure did not show any significant difference among these three groups (P > 0.05). BV bone volume, Luc-MSC Luciferase labeled mesenchymal stem cell, Micro-CT micro-computed tomography, MSC mesenchymal stem cell, PBS phosphate-buffered saline, TV tissue volume