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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The New Frontier<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cells] - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that eventually any level of the vertebrae. 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 injury to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably cause various forms of compromised functionality as the spinal cord is in effect the main pathway for information to travel around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the location of the spine that's been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts including 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.<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cells] - For decades scientists have been working 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 technologies have emerged that is helping many people around the world regain part, if not completely, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment is the use of stem cells.<br /><br />Exactly what are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cells] - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse selection 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 within the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. With respect to the condition, stem cells may 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 is now being applied to the management of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, plus instances where the patient hasn't experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. an entire severing of the spinal cord leading to a loss of function beneath the 'neurological' level. There has been good success in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.<br /><br />Vertebrae 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' are the focus of stem cell treatment, and so are the nerve cells how the treatment helps to regenerate. The task usually follows three phases and often requires no longer than a period of around five weeks in medical treatment for monitoring:<br /><br />Phase one requires the harvesting of stem cells. Cellular structure are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They may be then put through a process whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured being suitable for clinical use.<br /><br />Phase two will be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is done in one of 3 ways:<br /><br />1) Lumbar puncture - an operation used where stem cells can be injected directly into the spine.<br /><br />2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected into the patient's vein.<br /><br />3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.<br /><br />Phase three involves 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, and never the stem cell treatment itself, with only 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. In the period under medical supervision, patients undergo various physiotherapy activities as well as other treatments as necessary.<br /><br />Stem Cell Research and Treatment in China<br /><br />China is fast-becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and is now a major centre for the stem cell treating many diseases and scenarios. The Chinese government has poured 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 by the contributions of experts in the united states, Germany, Japan and also the UK.<br /><br />The government has also aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search of its ambition to become 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 for the country's success in the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all the top Chinese researchers in the regenerative medicine field ended up educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge 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 times have seen an increase in legislation protecting the sufferer, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, evidence of safety and efficacy through clinical trials 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.<br /><br />Additionally, China has long held a spot at the forefront of stem cell research to take care of 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 to the immature ovum cell of your rabbit, researchers from the Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.<br />China thus far 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 was able to create.<br />Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulatory, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.<br />Furthermore, Chinese researchers are currently involved with a myriad of projects to help 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, start phase 2 many studies to test the efficacy and safety of using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to treat about 40 patients with spinal cord injuries.<br />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.<br />Research is underway on the potential usage of stem cells to take care of heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and to combat aging.<br />Success Stories from the Treatment of Spinal-cord Injuries in China<br /><br />Many individuals of all ages and with varying levels of injury have received stem cell treatment in China throughout 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 sufferer and the severity of damages 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 going number 2. Within 8 months with the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (even though toes of one foot remained as paralyzed) and was even capable of walk with crutches.<br /><br />Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for several bouts of stem cell treatment following an accident while diving into a river that left him paralyzed from your neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that doesn't only could he now use his arms almost normally, and may feel pain in several 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 much better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than before."<br /><br />Donald Maricelli, a 54 year old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his insufficient sensation in his lower body, however there was complications and Donald was left in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still being unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has made significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout nearly all of his abdomen, as well as the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was that he regained control and strength in the left leg, allowing him just to walk significant distances and are a symbol of prolonged periods of time.<br /><br />There are many more success stories from patients who've received this pioneering treatment to help 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 period of time. 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 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. Each month, more and more people are visiting various cities around the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury may be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly lately, and continues to improve monthly, meaning that those unfortunate enough to possess suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs is a lost cause. There exists 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 present evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal-cord injuries is the solution.