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Stem Cell Strategy for Spinal Cord Injuries: The New Frontier

Knee Stem Cells - 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 from the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless 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 result in various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information to travel 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 this agreement the spine continues to be affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and motor vehicle accidents account for many spinal-cord 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 working to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, though limited success. However, recently a pioneering new technology has emerged that is helping many people around the world regain part, if not all, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment methods are the use of stem cells.

What are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?

Knee Stem Cell Injections - Stem cells are simply in all multi cellular organisms and are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse array of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their capacity to regenerate themselves into just about any human cell. Their used in the treatment of various diseases and types of conditions, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. Depending on the condition, stem cells could 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 has become being applied to treating 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 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.

Spinal-cord Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

When there is trauma to the spinal cord, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages to and from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' will be the focus of stem cell treatment, and are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The task usually follows three phases and often requires no longer when compared to a period of around five weeks in medical treatment for monitoring:

Phase one necessitates the harvesting of stem cells. Cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They're then put through an activity whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured to be 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 can be injected directly into the spinal column.

2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected to the patient's vein.

3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.

Phase three requires 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, rather than the stem cell treatment itself, with simply 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. In the period under medical supervision, patients undergo various physiotherapy activities along with other treatments as necessary.

Stem Cell Research and Treatment in China

China is fast-becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and it is now a major centre for that stem cell management of many diseases and types of conditions. 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 year 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only by the contributions of experts in the USA, 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 to China has contributed significantly for the country's success inside the field." The authors were "amazed that most the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field had been educated in the US and also the UK and gained extensive working experience there in cutting edge research."

Although in the past treatment in China could 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, proof safety and efficacy through numerous studies is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making certain Chinese clinics meet international standards inside their qualifications and methodology. As of 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 deal with all manner of conditions. A few of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:

By transferring the nucleus of a human skin cell in to the immature ovum cell of the rabbit, researchers from a Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.
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 during those times 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 help aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Here are several projects underway within Chinese institutions:

ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, start phase 2 numerous studies to test the efficacy and safety of employing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to take care of about 40 patients with spinal cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway on the use of stem cell therapies to deal with patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Studies are underway on the potential utilization of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and 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 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 individual and the severity of damages 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 underneath the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months of the treatment she regained movement in both her legs, could bend her knees (even though toes of one foot remained 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 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 several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He went on to add the following: "Now I will control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there was complications and Donald stayed in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he had been unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has created significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, as well as the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was he regained control and strength as part of his left leg, allowing him to walk significant distances and stand for prolonged periods of time.

There are many more success stories from patients that have received this pioneering treatment to help correct varying examples 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 period. 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 work being done by scientists and clinics in China indicates 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 according to precisely what injury may be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly in recent years, and continues to improve every month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have 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 may be improved with little pain, little hospital time, and a little motivation. The current evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries is the way forward.