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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The brand new Frontier

Knee Stem Cells - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that eventually any level of the vertebrae. Although the hard bones with the spinal column protect the soft tissues with the spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Vertebrae injuries vary in their severity, but almost inevitably cause various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information to travel around the human body. Just what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the area of the spine that's been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine continues to be affected. Although serious impacts such as falls and automobile accidents account for many spinal-cord injuries, tumors growing near the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and also have the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Injections - For years scientists have been working 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 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 Cells - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse selection of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They're 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 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 currently being applied to the management of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, and in instances where the patient has not yet experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. a whole severing of the spinal cord leading to a loss of function below the 'neurological' level. There has been positive results in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.

Vertebrae Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

When there is 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 how the treatment helps to regenerate. The procedure usually follows three phases and usually requires no longer than a 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 may be then put through an activity whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured to be suitable for clinical use.

Phase two may be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is achieved in one of three ways:

1) Lumbar puncture - a procedure used where stem cells may be injected directly into the spinal column.

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

3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.

Phase three requires the monitoring of the patient to make certain there are no adverse negative effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, and not the stem cell treatment itself, with only 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 it is now a major centre for your stem cell management of 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 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 year 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only through the contributions of experts in the USA, Germany, Japan as well as the UK.

The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad looking for its ambition to turn into 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 in the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all the top Chinese researchers within 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 might have been considered risky because 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 many studies is required by China's Secretary of state for Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, ensuring that Chinese clinics meet international standards in their qualifications and methodology. As of 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 place 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:

By transferring the nucleus of the human skin cell to the immature ovum cell of the rabbit, researchers from your 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 during those times only two other groups worldwide had was able to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulation system, 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 starting phase 2 numerous studies to test the efficacy and safety of employing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to treat about 40 patients with vertebrae injuries.
Clinical trials are underway around the use of stem cell therapies to take care of patients of strokes, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Research is underway on the potential usage of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, also to combat aging.
Success Stories from the Treatment of Vertebrae 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 remember that not every patient will react as well as others, and that the age of the individual and the severity of the injury greatly affect the likelihood 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 it was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months with the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (even though 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 several bouts of stem cell treatment following an 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 are now using his arms almost normally, and might feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He proceeded to add the following: "Now I'm able to control my urine for Ten minutes and the sensation both for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my system is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury carrying out 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 remained in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald makes significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout the majority of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet went back, helping him to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was that he regained control and strength as part of his left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.

There are lots of more success stories from patients who have received this pioneering treatment to help correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it will always be important to remember that not all patients recover the identical 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 an essential key to the future of helping individuals with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, more and more people are travelling to various cities around the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury continues to be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly recently, and continues to improve each month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to possess suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs is really a lost cause. There exists a very real chance 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.