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Stem Cell Treatment 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 of the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless be broken or dislocated in a variety of ways and cause traumatic problems for the spinal cord. Spinal-cord injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably lead to various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information traveling around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the area of the spine that has been damaged and the extent to which the spine continues to be affected. Although serious impacts including falls and motor vehicle 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 Treatment - For decades scientists have been trying to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that spinal-cord injuries can bring, however with limited success. However, lately a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping thousands of people around the world regain part, if not completely, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment is the use of stem cells.

Exactly what are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and therefore are characterized by their ability to distinguish into a diverse array of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They're remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. Based on the condition, stem cells can 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 the management of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, as well as in instances where the patient hasn't experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. a whole severing of the spinal-cord leading to a loss of function underneath the 'neurological' level. There has been great success in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.

Vertebrae Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

If you find trauma to the spinal cord, 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 are the nerve cells how the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases in most cases requires no longer when compared to a period of around five weeks in medical care for monitoring:

Phase one requires the harvesting of stem cells. Cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They may be then put through a process 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 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 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 unwanted effects. The only side effects reported thus far were caused by the lumbar puncture, rather than the stem cell treatment itself, with only 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. At that time 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 your stem cell management of many diseases and types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, which 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 year 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 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 towards the country's success inside the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field ended up educated in the US as well as the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in cutting edge research."

Although before treatment in China could have been considered risky due to lax health and safety laws, recent years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the patient, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, evidence of safety and efficacy through numerous 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 within 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 your human skin cell in to the immature ovum cell of a 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 at that time only two other groups worldwide had were able to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulatory, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
Furthermore, Chinese researchers are presently 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 clinical trials to test the efficacy and safety of using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to deal with about 40 patients with spinal cord 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 utilization of stem cells to take care of heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, also to combat aging.
Success Stories from the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries in China

Many individuals 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 patient and the severity of the injury greatly affect the odds of recovery. However, there have 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 it was unable to control her going number 2. Within 8 months of the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (even though the 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 a number of 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 may feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He went on to add the following: "Now I'm able to control my urine for 10 mins and the sensation for both urine and stool is much better. Generally, my system is more powerful than ever before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury carrying out a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his not enough sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald remained in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he had been unable to walk unaided. Following the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has created significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was which he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.

There are many more success stories from patients that have received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it is always important to remember that not all patients recover exactly the same functions in the same time frame. A lot of hard work adopts 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 indicates time and again that stem cells hold a critical 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 across the country that offer different packages of treatment according to precisely what injury has been 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 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 current evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the answer.