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Stem Cell Strategy for Spinal Cord Injuries: The brand 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 of 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 inside their severity, but almost inevitably cause various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the main pathway for information to travel around the human body. Just what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the location of the spine which has been damaged and the extent to which the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and automobile accidents account for many spinal-cord injuries, tumors growing near 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, though limited success. However, lately a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping lots of 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 Cells - Stem cells are simply in all multi cellular organisms and are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse range of specialized cells once they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their used in the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. Depending on the condition, stem cells could 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, and in 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.
Spinal Cord 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' will be the focus of stem cell treatment, and are the nerve cells how 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 medical treatment for monitoring:
Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. The cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They may be then put through a procedure whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured to be suitable for clinical use.
Phase two is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is done in one of three ways:
1) Lumbar puncture - a process used where stem cells can be injected directly into the spinal column.
2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected into 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 to date were caused by the lumbar puncture, rather than the stem cell treatment itself, just 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. In the period under medical supervision, patients undergo various physiotherapy activities as well as other treatments as necessary.
Stem Cell Research and Treatment in China
China is quickly becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and it is now a major centre for your stem cell treating many diseases and scenarios. 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 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only through the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan as well as the UK.
The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of 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 to the country's success inside the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers within the regenerative medicine field had been educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive experiences there in leading edge research."
Although previously treatment in China might have been considered risky as a result of lax health and safety laws, recent times have seen an increase in legislation protecting the individual, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof of safety and efficacy through numerous studies 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. 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.
Furthermore, 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 the human skin cell into the immature ovum cell of a 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 which 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 blood vessel, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
Furthermore, Chinese researchers are presently 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 clinical trials 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 on the use of stem cell therapies to take care of patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Studies are underway on the potential usage of stem cells to deal with 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 examples of injury have received stem cell treatment in China during the last few years. It is important to remember that not every patient will react as well as others, and that the age of the sufferer 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 in both her legs, could bend her knees (although the toes of one foot remained as paralyzed) and was even in a position to walk with crutches.
Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for a number of bouts of stem cell treatment following any sort of 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 now use his arms almost normally, and might feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He continued to add the following: "Now I'm able to control my urine for 10 mins and the sensation both for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my physique is more powerful than ever before."
Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his not enough 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 unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald makes significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout nearly all of his abdomen, and also the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him simply to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him just to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.
There are numerous more success stories from patients who have received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying examples of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover the same functions in the same time period. A lot of hard work goes into 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 shows time and again that stem cells hold an essential key to the future of helping individuals with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, more and more people are travelling to various cities around the country that offer different packages of treatment according to precisely what injury continues to be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly in recent years, and continues to improve every month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have 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 could be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the way forward.
