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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - 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 from the spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic problems for the spinal cord. Spinal-cord injuries vary in their severity, but almost inevitably cause various forms of compromised functionality as the spinal cord is in effect the main pathway for information to visit around the human body. Just what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the region of the spine which has been damaged and the extent to which the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts including falls and car accidents account for many spinal cord injuries, tumors growing near to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and also have the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Injections - For many years scientists have been trying to try and find a way to remedy the different ailments that vertebrae injuries can bring, though limited success. However, lately 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.

What exactly are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse array of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their capability to regenerate themselves into just about any human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and types of conditions, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. Based on the condition, stem cells can be transplanted into the patient to aid renew and regenerate previously damaged cells, giving patients renewed hope when, before, no reliable treatment existed.

This principle has become being applied to the management of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, plus instances where the patient has not experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. an entire severing of the vertebrae leading to a loss of function below the 'neurological' level. There has been positive results 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 back and forth 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 task usually follows three phases in most cases requires no longer than the usual 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 are then put through a process whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being finally cultured to be suitable for clinical use.

Phase two is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is achieved 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 sure there are no adverse side effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never the stem cell treatment itself, with simply 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. At that time 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 now a major centre for that stem cell treatment of many diseases and scenarios. The Chinese government has poured millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, which investment has really borne fruit within 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 from the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan and the UK.

The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search 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 in the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority 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 cutting 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 patient, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, evidence of safety and efficacy through many studies is required by China's Secretary of state for 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.

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:

By transferring the nucleus of the human skin cell in to the immature ovum cell of the rabbit, researchers from a Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.
China up to now 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 managed to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulation system, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
Furthermore, Chinese researchers are involved with a myriad of projects to aid aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Here are several projects underway within Chinese institutions:

ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, are starting 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.
Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to take care of patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Research is 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 individuals 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 remember 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 below the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel motions. Within 8 months with 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 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 a major accident while diving right into a river that left him paralyzed in the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that doesn't 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 proceeded to add the following: "Now I can control my urine for Ten minutes and the sensation for both urine and stool is much better. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 year old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent a surgical procedure to correct his insufficient sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald stayed in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still 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, and also the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him simply to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was which he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him just to walk significant distances and are a symbol of prolonged periods of time.

There are lots of more success stories from patients that have received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover the identical functions in the same time frame. A lot of hard work goes into the post treatment rehabilitation, plus 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 has shown time and again that stem cells hold a very important key to the future of helping individuals with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. On a monthly basis, more and more people are going to various cities round the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury has been 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 no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There is a very real chance the standard of living of any patient may 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.