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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier
Knee Stem Cells - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that occur to any level of the vertebrae. Although the hard bones with the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Spinal-cord injuries vary in their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality as the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information traveling around the human body. Just what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the region of the spine that's been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts such as falls and automobile accidents account for many vertebrae injuries, tumors growing close to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and have the same effects.
Knee Stem Cell Injections - For decades scientists have been working to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that spinal-cord 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 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 array of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They're 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 Ms, is now becoming more common. Based on 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 now being applied to treating spinal cord injuries using stem cells, as well as in instances where the patient hasn't experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. an entire severing of the spinal-cord leading to a loss of function beneath the 'neurological' level. There has been great success 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 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 the treatment helps to regenerate. The task usually follows three phases in most cases requires no longer than the usual period of around five weeks in health care for monitoring:
Phase one necessitates the harvesting of stem cells. Cellular structure are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They're then put through a procedure whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being finally cultured to become suitable for clinical use.
Phase two is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is achieved in one of three ways:
1) Lumbar puncture - an operation used where stem cells could be injected directly into the spine.
2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected in to the patient's vein.
3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.
Phase three involves the monitoring of the patient to make certain there are no adverse side effects. The only side effects reported to date were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never the stem cell treatment itself, just 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. During the 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 treatment of many diseases and types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured 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 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only through the contributions of experts in the USA, Germany, Japan and the UK.
The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of its ambition to become 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 within the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US and also the UK and gained extensive working experience there in cutting edge research."
Although previously treatment in China may have been considered risky as a result of lax health and safety laws, recent years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the individual, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof of safety and efficacy through many studies is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making certain Chinese clinics meet international standards in their qualifications and methodology. As of January 2010, about 1,500 patients had received botox cosmetic injections for spinal cord injury at one Beijing clinic alone, including roughly 1,000 foreigners.
Furthermore, China has long held a place at the forefront of stem cell research to take care of 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 that are of a specialized type that during those times only two other groups worldwide had were able to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including blood vessel, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
Furthermore, Chinese researchers are currently involved with a myriad of projects to aid aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Below are several projects underway within Chinese institutions:
ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, start phase 2 numerous studies to test the efficacy and safety of utilizing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to treat about 40 patients with spinal-cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to treat patients of heart attacks, 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 people of all ages and with varying degrees of injury have received stem cell treatment in China over the last few years. It is important to remember that not every patient will react and more, and that the age of the individual and the severity of the damage greatly affect the likelihood 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 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 were still paralyzed) and was even capable of walk with crutches.
Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for several bouts of stem cell treatment following an accident while diving right into a river that left him paralyzed in the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that doesn't only could he moved to his arms almost normally, and might 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 Ten minutes and the sensation for both urine and stool is much better. Generally, my system is more powerful than ever before."
Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his insufficient sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald remained in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still being unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald makes significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout the majority of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet went back, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him to walk significant distances and stand for prolonged periods of time.
There are numerous more success stories from patients who've received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it is always important to remember that not all patients recover exactly the same functions in the same time period. A lot of hard work adopts the post treatment rehabilitation, and it takes great drive, determination and ambition to allow the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the work being done by scientists and clinics in China has shown time and again that stem cells hold an essential key to the future of helping people with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Every month, more and more people are visiting various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment according to precisely what injury may be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly lately, and continues to improve monthly, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need will no longer feel theirs is really a lost cause. There is a very real chance how the standard of living of any patient can be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The present evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the answer.
