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Stem Cell Strategy for Spinal Cord Injuries: The New Frontier

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that happen to any level of the spinal cord. Although the hard bones of the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless be broken or dislocated in a number of ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Vertebrae injuries vary inside their severity, but almost inevitably lead to various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information traveling around the human body. Just what body functions are impaired through the injury will depend on the location of the spine that's been damaged and the extent that the spine continues to be affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and car accidents account for many spinal cord injuries, tumors growing near to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and also have the same effects.

Knee Stem Cells - For decades scientists have been trying to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, though limited success. However, lately a pioneering new technology has emerged that is helping lots of people around the world regain part, it not exclusively, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment solutions are the use of stem cells.

What exactly are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into almost any other human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. With respect to the condition, stem cells can be transplanted into the patient to help renew and regenerate previously damaged cells, giving patients renewed hope when, before, no reliable treatment existed.

This principle is currently being applied to the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, as well as in instances where the patient has not experienced a complete spinal-cord injury, i.e. a whole severing of the vertebrae leading to a loss of function underneath the 'neurological' level. There has been great success in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.

Vertebrae Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

If you find trauma to the vertebrae, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages both to and from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' would be the focus of stem cell treatment, and therefore are the nerve cells that the treatment helps to regenerate. The task usually follows three phases in most cases requires no longer when compared to a period of around five weeks in medical care for monitoring:

Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. Cellular structure are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They are then put through a procedure whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being finally cultured being suitable for clinical use.

Phase two is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is done in one of 3 ways:

1) Lumbar puncture - an operation used where stem cells can be injected directly into the backbone.

2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected into the patient's vein.

3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.

Phase three necessitates the monitoring of the patient to make sure there are no adverse unwanted effects. The only side effects reported to date were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never the stem cell treatment itself, with simply 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. At that time under medical supervision, patients undergo various physiotherapy activities and other treatments as necessary.

Stem Cell Research and Treatment in China

China is fast-becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and is also now a major centre for that stem cell management of many diseases and scenarios. The Chinese government has poured many millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, which investment has really borne fruit within the last few years. As a result of this expanded investment, Chinese contributions to scientific journals on regenerative medicine topics leapt from 37 in year 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only through the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan and also the UK.

The government in addition has aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad looking for its ambition to turn into a world leader in the field. Indeed, the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health commented that, "the government's policy of attracting highly educated Chinese nationals back to China has contributed significantly towards the country's success inside the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US and also the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in innovative research."

Although previously treatment in China might have been considered risky because of lax health and safety laws, recent times have seen an increase in legislation protecting the patient, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof of safety and efficacy through clinical trials is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making sure Chinese clinics meet international standards in their qualifications and methodology. At the time of January 2010, about 1,500 patients had received laser hair removal for spinal cord injury at one Beijing clinic alone, including roughly 1,000 foreigners.

Additionally, China has long held a spot at the forefront of stem cell research to deal with all manner of conditions. A few of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:

By transferring the nucleus of the human skin cell to the immature ovum cell of a rabbit, researchers from the Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.
China to date has created at least 25 human embryonic stem cell lines (some estimate over 70 stem cell lines), four of which are of a specialized type that during those times only two other groups worldwide had managed to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulatory, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
Furthermore, Chinese researchers are involved with a myriad of projects to help aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Here are several projects underway within Chinese institutions:

ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, are beginning phase 2 numerous studies to test the efficacy and safety of utilizing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to deal with about 40 patients with spinal cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway around the use of stem cell therapies to treat patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Studies are underway on the potential usage of stem cells to take care of heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and to combat aging.
Testimonials from the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries in China

Many people of all ages and with varying levels of injury have received stem cell treatment in China throughout the last few years. It is important to keep in mind that not every patient will react as well as others, and that the age of the individual and the severity of damages greatly affect the odds of recovery. However, there have been many success stories from both Chinese citizens and foreigners.

Before her treatment began in January 2006, Ms. Pai, 38, from Shenyang couldn't move her body beneath the injury site, and was unable to control her going number 2. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (even though the toes of one foot remained as paralyzed) and was even capable of walk with crutches.

Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for many bouts of stem cell treatment following an accident while diving right into a river that left him paralyzed from your neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that does not only could he moved to his arms almost normally, and may feel pain in a number of of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He went on to add the following: "Now I will control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is way better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald remained in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has made significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout the majority of his abdomen, and also the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most significant to Donald was he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him just to walk significant distances and stand for prolonged periods of time.

There are many more success stories from patients who've received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover the same functions in the same period of time. A lot of hard work switches into the post treatment rehabilitation, and it takes great drive, determination and ambition to enable the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the task being done by scientists and clinics in China has shown time and again that stem cells hold a very important key to the future of helping people who have spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, more and more people are going to various cities round the country that offer different packages of treatment based on precisely what injury may be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly in recent years, and continues to improve monthly, meaning that those unfortunate enough to possess suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs is really a lost cause. There's a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient can be improved with little pain, little hospital time, and a little motivation. The current evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the way forward.