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Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The New Frontier

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that happen to any level of the spinal cord. Although the hard bones with the spinal column protect the soft tissues of 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 inside their severity, but almost inevitably cause various forms of compromised functionality since 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 region of the spine that's been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and car accidents account for many vertebrae injuries, tumors growing near to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and possess the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Injections - For many years scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that vertebrae injuries can bring, but with limited success. However, in recent years a pioneering new technology has 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.

What exactly are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?

Knee Stem Cell Injections - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse range of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their capacity to regenerate themselves into almost any other human cell. Their use within the treatment of various diseases and types of conditions, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. Based on the condition, stem cells could 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 is now 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. an entire 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.

Spinal-cord Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

If you find trauma to the vertebrae, 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 therefore 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 medical treatment for monitoring:

Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. Cellular structure are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They're then put through a process whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured to become suitable for clinical use.

Phase two will be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is accomplished in one of 3 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 involves the monitoring of the patient to make sure there are no adverse side effects. The only side effects reported to date 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 as well as other treatments as necessary.

Stem Cell Research and Treatment in China

China is quickly becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and it is now a major centre for that stem cell treating many diseases and types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, and that investment has really borne fruit during 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 the UK.

The government in addition has aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad looking for 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 back to China has contributed significantly to the country's success inside the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers within the regenerative medicine field ended up educated in the US as well as the UK and gained extensive experiences there in cutting edge research."

Although before treatment in China may 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, 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 inside 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.

Furthermore, China has long held a place at the forefront of stem cell research to treat all manner of conditions. A few of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:

By transferring the nucleus of your human skin cell into 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 which are of a specialized type that in those days only two other groups worldwide had was able to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including blood vessel, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
Furthermore, Chinese researchers are 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:

ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, are beginning phase 2 clinical trials to test the efficacy and safety of utilizing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to deal with about 40 patients with spinal-cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to treat patients of strokes, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Research is underway on the potential use of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and to combat aging.
Successes from the Treatment of Vertebrae Injuries in China

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 and more, and that the age of the sufferer and the severity of damages 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 beneath the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel motions. Within 8 months with the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (although the toes of one foot remained as paralyzed) and was even able to walk with crutches.

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 from your neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that doesn't only could he now use his arms almost normally, and might 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 10 minutes and the sensation both for urine and stool is way better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there have been 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 makes significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout nearly all 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 critical to Donald was that he regained control and strength as part of 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 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, also it takes great drive, determination and ambition make it possible for the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the work 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. Each month, more and more people are visiting various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment depending 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 no more feel theirs is a lost cause. There is a very real chance how the standard of living of any patient could 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.