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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The brand 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 of the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless be broken or dislocated in a variety of ways and cause traumatic problems for the spinal cord. Vertebrae injuries vary in their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality as the spinal cord is in effect the main pathway for information traveling around the human body. Just what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the region of the spine that has been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts such as 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.<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 different ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, however with limited success. However, recently 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.<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 distinguish into a diverse range of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their capacity to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and conditions, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. Based on the condition, stem cells may be transplanted into the patient to aid renew and regenerate previously damaged cells, giving patients renewed hope when, before, no reliable treatment existed.<br /><br />This principle is currently being applied to the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, as well as in instances where the patient has not yet experienced a complete vertebrae injury, i.e. an entire severing of the spinal-cord leading to a loss of function below the 'neurological' level. There has been good success 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' will be the focus of stem cell treatment, and therefore are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases in most cases requires no longer than a period of around five weeks in health care for monitoring:<br /><br />Phase one requires the harvesting of stem cells. Cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They may be then put through an activity whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured to be suitable for clinical use.<br /><br />Phase two is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is done in one of 3 ways:<br /><br />1) Lumbar puncture - a process used where stem cells may be injected directly into the spine.<br /><br />2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected in 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 certain 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. 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 fast becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and it is now a major centre for the 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 USA, Germany, Japan and also the UK.<br /><br />The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search of its ambition to become 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 for the country's success within the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers in the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US and also the UK and gained extensive working experience there in leading edge research."<br /><br />Although in the past treatment in China might have been considered risky due to lax health and safety laws, recent years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the individual, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof of 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. As of 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 spot at the forefront of stem cell research to treat all manner of conditions. A number of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are: <br /><br />By transferring the nucleus of your human skin cell to 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 of which are of a specialized type that at that time only two other groups worldwide had was 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 presently involved with a myriad of projects to aid aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Listed here are several projects underway within Chinese institutions: <br /><br />ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, are beginning phase 2 numerous studies 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 deal with patients of strokes, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.<br />Research is underway on the potential use of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and also to combat aging.<br />Successes from the Treatment of Spinal-cord Injuries in China<br /><br />Lots of 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 as well as others, and that the age of the patient and the severity of damages greatly affect the chances of recovery. However, there have been 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 motions. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement in the 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 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 not only could he moved to 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'm able to control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my physique 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 were complications and Donald was left in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still being 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, as well as the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly crucial, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was he regained control and strength in the left leg, allowing him to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.<br /><br />There are lots of more success stories from patients that have received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it will always be important to remember that not all patients recover exactly the same 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 to allow 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 individuals with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. On a monthly basis, more and more people are travelling to various cities round the country that offer different packages of treatment based 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 get suffered spinal cord injuries need will no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There exists a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient could 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.