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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 vertebrae. Although the hard bones with the spinal column protect the soft tissues with the spinal cord, vertebrae can still 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 cause various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the main pathway for information to visit around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the region of the spine that's been damaged and the extent to which 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 also have 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, lately a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping lots of people around the world regain part, it not exclusively, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment is the use of stem cells.

What exactly are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?

Knee Stem Cells - Stem cells are simply 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 may be remarkable for their capacity to regenerate themselves into almost any other human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and conditions, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. With respect to 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 has become being applied to the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, plus instances where the patient hasn't experienced a complete vertebrae 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.

Spinal-cord Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

If you find trauma to the spinal cord, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages back and forth from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' are the focus of stem cell treatment, and so are the nerve cells how the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases and often requires no longer than the usual period of around five weeks in health care for monitoring:

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

Phase two is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is accomplished in one of 3 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 requires the monitoring of the patient to make sure there are no adverse negative effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, and not the stem cell treatment itself, with only 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 now a major centre for that stem cell treatment of many diseases and scenarios. The Chinese government has poured many millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, understanding that investment has really borne fruit in 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 united states, Germany, Japan and the UK.

The government in addition has aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search of its ambition to turn into a world leader within 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 to the country's success inside the field." The authors were "amazed that most 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 before treatment in China could have been considered risky as a result of lax health and safety laws, the past few years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the patient, 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, ensuring that Chinese clinics meet international standards within their qualifications and methodology. By January 2010, about 1,500 patients had received this treatment 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. Some of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:

By transferring the nucleus of a human skin cell into the immature ovum cell of the rabbit, researchers from your 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 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 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 starting phase 2 clinical trials to test the efficacy and safety of utilizing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to take care of about 40 patients with spinal-cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway on the use of stem cell therapies to take care of patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Research is underway on the potential usage of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and to combat aging.
Success Stories from the Treatment of Spinal-cord Injuries in China

Lots of 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 and more, and that the age of the patient and the severity of the injury greatly affect the likelihood of recovery. However, there has 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 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 toes of one foot remained 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 into a river that left him paralyzed in the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that not only could he now use his arms almost normally, and might feel pain in a number of of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He proceeded to add the following: "Now I can control my urine for Ten minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is way better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than ever before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury carrying out a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald was left in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has created significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, as well as the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most significant to Donald was that 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 always important to remember that not all patients recover the identical functions in the same period of time. A lot of hard work goes into the post treatment rehabilitation, plus it takes great drive, determination and ambition make it possible for the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the work being done by scientists and clinics in China indicates 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. On a monthly basis, more and more people are visiting various cities round the country that offer different packages of treatment based on precisely what injury continues to be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly recently, and continues to improve each month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs is a lost cause. There exists a very real chance how the standard of living of any patient could be improved with little pain, little hospital time, and a little motivation. The present evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the way forward.