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Stem Cell Strategy for Spinal Cord Injuries: The New Frontier

Knee Stem Cell Injections - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that eventually any level of the spinal cord. 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. Spinal-cord injuries vary inside their severity, but almost inevitably cause various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information to visit around the human body. Just what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the location of the spine that's been damaged and the extent that the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts such as falls and automobile accidents account for many spinal cord injuries, tumors growing close to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and possess the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - For years scientists have been trying to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that vertebrae injuries can bring, however with limited success. However, lately 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 is the use of stem cells.

Exactly 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 distinguish into a diverse range of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and conditions, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. With respect to the condition, stem cells could be transplanted into the patient to help 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. a complete severing of the spinal cord 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

When there is trauma to the vertebrae, 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 so are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases and usually requires no longer than the usual period of around five weeks in medical treatment for monitoring:

Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. Cells 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 being suitable for clinical use.

Phase two will be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is achieved in one of 3 ways:

1) Lumbar puncture - an operation used where stem cells could 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 sure there are no adverse side 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 and 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 the stem cell treatment of many diseases and scenarios. The Chinese government has poured millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, and 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 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only from the contributions of experts in america, 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 within 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 for the country's success within the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all 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 innovative research."

Although previously 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 sufferer, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof of safety and efficacy through numerous studies is required by China's Secretary of state for Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making certain Chinese clinics meet international standards within their qualifications and methodology. At the time 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.

In addition to this, China has long held a spot 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 into the immature ovum cell of a rabbit, researchers from the 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 of 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 circulatory, 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 many studies to test the efficacy and safety of employing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to deal with about 40 patients with spinal cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway on the use of stem cell therapies to take care of patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Studies are underway on the potential utilization of stem cells to deal with heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and 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 and more, and that the age of the patient and the severity of damages 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 beneath the injury site, and it was unable to control her bowel motions. Within 8 months with the treatment she regained movement in both her legs, could bend her knees (although the toes of one foot were still paralyzed) and was even capable of walk with crutches.

Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for a number of bouts of stem cell treatment following an accident while diving right into a river that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that doesn't only could he are now using his arms almost normally, and could feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He proceeded to add the following: "Now I will control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is much better. Generally, my system is more powerful than ever before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 year old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his insufficient sensation in his lower body, however there was 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. Pursuing the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has made significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, as well as the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly crucial, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, helping him just 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 stand for prolonged periods of time.

There are numerous more success stories from patients who have received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is always 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, and it takes great drive, determination and ambition to enable 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 people with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. On a monthly basis, more and more people are travelling to various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment based on precisely what injury has been inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly lately, and continues to improve monthly, meaning that those unfortunate enough to get suffered spinal cord injuries need no more feel theirs can be a lost cause. There's a very real chance the standard of living of any patient could be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The current evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries is the answer.