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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The brand new Frontier<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Treatment] - 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 from the spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in a variety of ways and cause traumatic problems for the spinal cord. Vertebrae injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably lead to various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information to visit around the human body. Precisely what body functions are impaired through the injury will depend on the area 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 spinal-cord injuries, tumors growing close to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and also have the same effects.<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Treatment] - For many years scientists have been working to try and find a way to remedy the many 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, if not completely, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment solutions are the use of stem cells.<br /><br />Exactly what are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Injections] - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their capability to regenerate themselves into almost any other human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and conditions, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. With respect to 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.<br /><br />This principle has become being applied to the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, as well as in instances where the patient has not experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. a whole severing of the vertebrae leading to a loss of function beneath the 'neurological' level. There has been positive results in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.<br /><br />Spinal Cord Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works<br /><br />If you have 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 are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The procedure usually follows three phases and usually requires no longer when compared to a period of around five weeks in medical treatment for monitoring:<br /><br />Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. Cellular structure are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They're then put through an activity whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being finally cultured to become suitable for clinical use.<br /><br />Phase two will be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is accomplished in one of 3 ways:<br /><br />1) Lumbar puncture - a process used where stem cells could be injected directly into the spinal column.<br /><br />2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected to the patient's vein.<br /><br />3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.<br /><br />Phase three requires the monitoring of the patient to make sure there are no adverse side effects. The only side effects reported thus far were caused by the lumbar puncture, and not the stem cell treatment itself, just 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. During the time under medical supervision, patients undergo various physiotherapy activities along with other treatments as necessary.<br /><br />Stem Cell Research and Treatment in China<br /><br />China is quickly becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and it is now a major centre for the stem cell management of many diseases and conditions. The Chinese government has poured many 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 by the contributions of experts in the united states, Germany, Japan as well as the UK.<br /><br />The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of its ambition to turn into 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 to China has contributed significantly towards the country's success within the field." The authors were "amazed that most 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."<br /><br />Although previously treatment in China may 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 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 laser hair removal for spinal cord injury at one Beijing clinic alone, including roughly 1,000 foreigners.<br /><br />Furthermore, China has long held a location at the forefront of stem cell research to deal with all manner of conditions. A few of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are: <br /><br />By transferring the nucleus of the human skin cell into the immature ovum cell of a rabbit, researchers from your Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.<br />China to date 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 in those days only two other groups worldwide had were able to create.<br />Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including blood vessel, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.<br />Furthermore, Chinese researchers are currently 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: <br /><br />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 treat about 40 patients with spinal cord injuries.<br />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.<br />Research is underway on the potential use of stem cells to deal with heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and also to combat aging.<br />Success Stories from the Treatment of Spinal-cord Injuries in China<br /><br />Many 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 keep in mind that not every patient will react as well as others, and that the age of the patient and the severity of the injury greatly affect the chances of recovery. However, there were many success stories from both Chinese citizens and foreigners.<br /><br />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 movements. Within 8 months of the treatment she regained movement in both her legs, could bend her knees (although the toes of one foot remained paralyzed) and was even capable of walk with crutches.<br /><br />Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for a number of bouts of stem cell treatment following an accident while diving right into a river that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that not only could he now use his arms almost normally, and could feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He continued to add the following: "Now I will control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for both urine and stool is way better. Generally, my system is more powerful than ever before."<br /><br />Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury carrying out a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his not enough sensation in his lower body, however there was 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 has made 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 important to Donald was which he regained control and strength in the left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and stand for prolonged periods of time.<br /><br />There are numerous more success stories from patients who have received this pioneering treatment to help correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it is always 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 enable the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the job being done by scientists and clinics in China has shown time and again that stem cells hold a very important key to the future of helping people with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, more and more people are visiting various cities around 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 every month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to possess suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There exists a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient may be improved with little pain, little hospital time, plus a little motivation. The current evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the way forward.