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Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier

Knee Stem Cells - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that occur 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. Spinal cord injuries vary in their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information traveling around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the area of the spine which has been damaged and the extent to which the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts including falls and car accidents account for many vertebrae injuries, tumors growing near to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and also have the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - For decades 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, recently a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping thousands of people around the world regain part, if not completely, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment methods are the use of stem cells.

What exactly are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse array of specialized cells once they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their capacity to regenerate themselves into almost any other human cell. Their used in the treatment of various diseases and types of conditions, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. With respect to the condition, stem cells can 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 treating spinal cord injuries using stem cells, and in instances where the patient hasn't experienced a complete spinal-cord injury, i.e. a complete severing of the vertebrae leading to a loss of function underneath the 'neurological' level. There has been good success in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.

Spinal Cord Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

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 are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases and usually requires no longer when compared to a period of around five weeks in health care for monitoring:

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 become suitable for clinical use.

Phase two may be 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 into the patient's vein.

3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.

Phase three necessitates the monitoring of the patient to make sure there are no adverse unwanted 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. 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 fast-becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and is also now a major centre for your stem cell treatment of many diseases and types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured many millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, which 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 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 turn into 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 back to China has contributed significantly for the country's success inside the field." The authors were "amazed that most the top Chinese researchers within the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US and also the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in leading edge research."

Although previously treatment in China might have been considered risky because of lax health and safety laws, the past few years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the individual, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, evidence of safety and efficacy through numerous studies is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making sure Chinese clinics meet international standards within 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.

In addition to this, China has long held a spot at the forefront of stem cell research to treat all manner of conditions. Some of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:

By transferring the nucleus of your human skin cell in to 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 that 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 circulatory, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
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:

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.
Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to deal with patients of strokes, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Studies are underway on the potential use of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, also to combat aging.
Testimonials from the Treatment of Spinal-cord Injuries in China

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 understand that not every patient will react as well as others, and that the age of the sufferer and the severity of the injury greatly affect the chances 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 it was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months of the treatment she regained movement in the her legs, could bend her knees (although 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 into a river that left him paralyzed from your 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 a number of of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He continued to add the following: "Now I can control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is way better. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than ever before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury carrying out a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his insufficient 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 created significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout the majority of his abdomen, as well as the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, helping him simply to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was that he regained control and strength in the left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.

There are many more success stories from patients who've 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 frame. A lot of hard work adopts 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 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 with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Every month, 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 recently, and continues to improve every month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need will no longer feel theirs is a lost cause. There exists a very real chance 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 way forward.