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Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier
Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that happen to any level of the vertebrae. Although the hard bones from the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary inside their severity, but almost inevitably lead to various forms of compromised functionality as the spinal cord is in effect the main pathway for information to travel around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the area of the spine that has been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and motor vehicle accidents account for many vertebrae injuries, tumors growing near the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and have the same effects.
Knee Stem Cell Injections - For decades scientists have been trying to try and find a way to remedy the different ailments that vertebrae injuries can bring, however with limited success. However, lately a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping many people around the world regain part, if not all, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment is the use of stem cells.
What are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?
Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and therefore are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse array of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They're remarkable for their capability to regenerate themselves into just about any human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and types of conditions, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. Based on the condition, stem cells can be transplanted into the patient to aid renew and regenerate previously damaged cells, giving patients renewed hope when, before, no reliable treatment existed.
This principle is now being applied to the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, and in instances where the patient has not yet experienced a complete vertebrae injury, i.e. a whole severing of the spinal-cord leading to a loss of function beneath the 'neurological' level. There has been positive results in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.
Spinal-cord Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works
If you find trauma to the spinal cord, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages to and from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' are the focus of stem cell treatment, and are the nerve cells that the treatment helps to regenerate. The task usually follows three phases and often requires no longer than a period of around five weeks in medical care for monitoring:
Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. The cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They are then put through a procedure whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured to be suitable for clinical use.
Phase two may be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is accomplished in one of three ways:
1) Lumbar puncture - a process used where stem cells may be injected directly into the backbone.
2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected to the patient's vein.
3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.
Phase three necessitates the monitoring of the patient to make certain there are no adverse unwanted effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never the stem cell treatment itself, with only 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. During the time under medical supervision, patients undergo various physiotherapy activities along with 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 types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured many millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, and that 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 from the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan as well as 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 returning to China has contributed significantly towards the country's success within the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field ended up educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in innovative research."
Although previously treatment in China may have been considered risky because of lax health and safety laws, the past few years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the sufferer, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, evidence of safety and efficacy through numerous studies is required by China's Secretary of state for Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making sure Chinese clinics meet international standards in their qualifications and methodology. By 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.
In addition to this, China has long held a location at the forefront of stem cell research to take care of all manner of conditions. Some of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:
By transferring the nucleus of your human skin cell into the immature ovum cell of the rabbit, researchers from a Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.
China thus far has created at least 25 human embryonic stem cell lines (some estimate over 70 stem cell lines), four that are of a specialized type that at that time only two other groups worldwide had managed to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulation system, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
Furthermore, Chinese researchers are involved with a myriad of projects to aid aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Listed 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 using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to take care of about 40 patients with vertebrae injuries.
Clinical trials are underway around the use of stem cell therapies to treat patients of strokes, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Research is underway on the potential use of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and to combat aging.
Success Stories from the Treatment of Vertebrae Injuries in China
Many individuals of all ages and with varying examples of injury have received stem cell treatment in China during the last few years. It is important to understand that not every patient will react and more, and that the age of the patient and the severity of the damage greatly affect the likelihood of recovery. However, there were 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 bowel motions. Within 8 months of 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 a number of bouts of stem cell treatment following a major accident while diving in to a river that left him paralyzed in the 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 continued to add the following: "Now I can control my urine for 10 mins and the sensation for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my physique is more powerful than before."
Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent a surgical procedure to correct his insufficient sensation in his lower body, however there was complications and Donald stayed in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still unable to walk unaided. Following the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald makes significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout the majority of his abdomen, and also the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, 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 are a symbol of prolonged periods of time.
There are lots of more success stories from patients who've received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is always 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, plus it takes great drive, determination and ambition to enable the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the work being done by scientists and clinics in China shows time and again that stem cells hold a very important key to the future of helping individuals with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Every month, more and more people are going to various cities around the country that offer different packages of treatment according to precisely what injury has been 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 can be a lost cause. There is a very real chance how the standard of living of any patient may be improved with little pain, little hospital time, and a little motivation. The present evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal-cord injuries is the solution.
