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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The New Frontier
Knee Stem Cells - 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 with the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless be broken or dislocated in a variety of 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 key pathway for information to visit 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 this agreement the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and motor vehicle 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 Treatment - For many years scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that spinal-cord injuries can bring, however with limited success. However, in recent years a pioneering new technology has emerged that is helping thousands of people around the world regain part, if not all, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment methods are the use of stem cells.
Exactly what are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?
Knee Stem Cells - Stem cells are simply in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to distinguish into a diverse selection of specialized cells once they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their capacity to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their used in the treatment of various diseases and conditions, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. With respect to 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 now 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 complete 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 have trauma to the vertebrae, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages back and forth from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' will be the focus of stem cell treatment, and so are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The procedure usually follows three phases and often requires no longer than a 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 are then put through a process 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 done in one of three ways:
1) Lumbar puncture - a process used where stem cells may be injected directly into the spine.
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 not the stem cell treatment itself, just 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 it is now a major centre for the stem cell management 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 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 year 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only from the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan and also the UK.
The government in addition has 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 towards 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 as well as the UK and gained extensive working experience there in leading edge research."
Although before treatment in China may have been considered risky as a result of lax health and safety laws, recent times have seen an increase in legislation protecting the sufferer, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof safety and efficacy through clinical trials is required by China's Ministry of 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 botox cosmetic injections 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 take care of 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 a 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 of which 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 involved with a myriad of projects to assist 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 take care of about 40 patients with vertebrae injuries.
Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to take care of patients of cardiac arrest, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Studies are underway on the potential utilization of stem cells to deal with 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 degrees of injury have received stem cell treatment in China throughout the last few years. It is important to understand that not every patient will react and more, and that the age of the individual and the severity of the injury greatly affect the odds 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 underneath the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months from 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 in a position to 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 in to a river that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that does not only could he are now using his arms almost normally, and may feel pain in many of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He proceeded to add the following: "Now I will control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation both for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my system is more powerful than before."
Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent a surgical procedure to correct his not enough sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald stayed in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he had been 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 also the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly crucial, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was which he regained control and strength as part of his left leg, allowing him to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.
There are numerous more success stories from patients that have received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying examples of spinal cord injury. However, it is always important to remember that not all patients recover the identical functions in the same time frame. A lot of hard work switches into the post treatment rehabilitation, and 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 a critical key to the future of helping people who have spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. On a monthly basis, more and more people are going to various cities around the country that offer different packages of treatment based on 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 a lost cause. There is a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient can be improved with little pain, little hospital time, plus a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries is the way forward.
