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Stem Cell Strategy for Spinal Cord Injuries: The New Frontier
Knee Stem Cell Injections - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that happen to any level of the spinal cord. Although the hard bones from the spinal column protect the soft tissues of the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Spinal-cord injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality as the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information to visit around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the location of the spine which has been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts such as falls and motor vehicle accidents account for many spinal-cord injuries, tumors growing close to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and possess the same effects.
Knee Stem Cell Treatment - For years scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, however with limited success. However, recently 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 Injections - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse range 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 types of conditions, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. Depending on the condition, stem cells may be transplanted into the patient to assist 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, plus instances where the patient has not experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. a whole severing of the spinal-cord leading to a loss of function below the 'neurological' level. There has been positive results in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.
Vertebrae Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works
If you have trauma to the spinal cord, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages to and from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' will be the focus of stem cell treatment, and are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases and usually requires no longer than the usual period of around five weeks in medical care for monitoring:
Phase one requires the harvesting of stem cells. Cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They are then put through a process whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured being suitable for clinical use.
Phase two will be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is achieved in one of three ways:
1) Lumbar puncture - a procedure used where stem cells could be injected directly into the backbone.
2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected in 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 side effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never the stem cell treatment itself, just 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. In the period 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 it is now a major centre for your stem cell treatment of many diseases and types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, and that investment has really borne fruit during 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 also the UK.
The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of its ambition to become a world leader inside 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 for the country's success in the field." The authors were "amazed that most the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field ended up 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 due to lax health and safety laws, recent years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the sufferer, 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, ensuring that Chinese clinics meet international standards within 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 location at the forefront of stem cell research to treat all manner of conditions. A few of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:
By transferring the nucleus of your human skin cell in to the immature ovum cell of the rabbit, researchers from a Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.
China up to now 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 in those days 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 presently involved with a myriad of projects to assist 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 clinical trials to test the efficacy and safety of using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to treat about 40 patients with spinal cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway around the use of stem cell therapies to treat patients of cardiac arrest, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Studies are underway on the potential usage of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and to combat aging.
Successes 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 over 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 the injury greatly affect the chances 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 below the injury site, and it was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement in both 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 several bouts of stem cell treatment following any sort of accident while diving in to a river that left him paralyzed in the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that doesn't only could he now use his arms almost normally, and might feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He went on to add the following: "Now I can control my urine for Ten minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is much better. Generally, my system is more powerful than before."
Donald Maricelli, a 54 year old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his insufficient sensation in his lower body, however there have been complications and Donald remained in a worse state than 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 most of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was which he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.
There are many more success stories from patients that have received this pioneering treatment to help correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover exactly the same functions in the same time frame. A lot of hard work adopts the post treatment rehabilitation, also it takes great drive, determination and ambition make it possible for the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the task being done by scientists and clinics in China shows time and again that stem cells hold an essential key to the future of helping people who have spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, more and more people are visiting various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury continues to be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly recently, and continues to improve every month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to possess suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs is really a lost cause. There is a very real chance 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 spinal-cord injuries is the solution.
