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

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that happen to any level of the spinal-cord. Although the hard bones of the spinal column protect the soft tissues of 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 within their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality as the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information to visit around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the area of the spine that has been damaged and the extent to which the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts such as falls and automobile accidents account for many vertebrae injuries, tumors growing near the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and possess the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - For decades scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the different 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 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 differentiate into a diverse array of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their capability to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their use within the treatment of various diseases and conditions, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. Based on the condition, stem cells can 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 is now being applied to the management of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, and 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 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

When there is trauma to the vertebrae, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages both to and from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' will be the focus of stem cell treatment, and therefore are the nerve cells that the treatment helps to regenerate. The process 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. The cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They may be then put through a procedure whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being finally cultured being suitable for clinical use.

Phase two is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is done in one of three ways:

1) Lumbar puncture - a procedure used where stem cells could be injected directly into the backbone.

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

3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.

Phase three involves the monitoring of the patient to ensure 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 simply 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. During the 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 that stem cell treating many diseases and types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured many millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, which 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 from the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan and the UK.

The government has also aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of its ambition to become a world leader in 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 towards the country's success inside the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all the top Chinese researchers in the regenerative medicine field had been educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive working experience there in cutting edge research."

Although previously 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 clinical trials is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making sure Chinese clinics meet international standards in their qualifications and methodology. At the time 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 spot at the forefront of stem cell research to deal with 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 the Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.
China up to now 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 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 involved with a myriad of projects to assist aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Listed here are several projects underway within Chinese institutions:

ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, start phase 2 many studies to test the efficacy and safety of utilizing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to treat about 40 patients with spinal cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to deal with patients of cardiac arrest, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Studies are underway on the potential usage of stem cells to take care of heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, also 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 over 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 the injury greatly affect the odds 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 going number 2. Within 8 months with the treatment she regained movement in both her legs, could bend her knees (even though 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 many bouts of stem cell treatment following any sort of accident while diving into a river that left him paralyzed from your neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that doesn't only could he are now using his arms almost normally, and may feel pain in several 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 mins and the sensation for urine and stool is way better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there was complications and Donald remained in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still being unable to walk unaided. Following the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has made significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most 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 just to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was which he regained control and strength in 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 who have received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying examples 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 adopts 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 work being done by scientists and clinics in China indicates time and again that stem cells hold an essential 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 round the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury may be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly in recent years, 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 that the standard of living of any patient could be improved with little pain, little hospital time, plus a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the answer.