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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 from the spinal column protect the soft tissues of the spinal cord, vertebrae can nevertheless be broken or dislocated in a variety of ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Vertebrae injuries vary inside their severity, but almost inevitably cause various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information to visit around the human body. Precisely what body functions are impaired through the injury will depend on the area of the spine which has been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and car 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 Cells - For many years scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the different ailments that spinal-cord injuries can bring, but with limited success. However, in recent years a pioneering new technologies have 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 Cell Treatment - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and therefore are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse array of specialized cells when 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 Ms, is now becoming more common. With respect to 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, plus 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 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

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 so are the nerve cells how 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 health care 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 before they are 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 may be injected directly into the backbone.

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 certain 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, just 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. During the time 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 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 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 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 in 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 the majority the top Chinese researchers in the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US and also the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in leading edge research."

Although in the past treatment in China could have been considered risky because 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, evidence of safety and efficacy through numerous studies is required by China's Ministry of 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.

Additionally, China has long held a location 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 a human skin cell into the immature ovum cell of your rabbit, researchers from the 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 at that time only two other groups worldwide had managed 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 aid aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Here are several projects underway within Chinese institutions:

ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, are beginning phase 2 clinical trials to test the efficacy and safety of utilizing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to take care of about 40 patients with spinal cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to deal with patients of strokes, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Research is underway on the potential use of stem cells to treat 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 remember that not every patient will react and more, and that the age of the individual and the severity of the damage 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 underneath the injury site, and it was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months with the treatment she regained movement in the 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 many bouts of stem cell treatment following any sort of accident while diving in to a river that left him paralyzed from your 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 many of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He went on to add the following: "Now I can control my urine for Ten minutes and the sensation both for urine and stool is much better. Generally, my physique 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 surgery to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there was complications and Donald stayed in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still being unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has made significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout nearly all 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 just to walk without tripping. Most significant to Donald was that he regained control and strength as part of his left leg, allowing him simply 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 aid correct varying examples of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover the same functions in the same time period. A lot of hard work goes into the post treatment rehabilitation, also 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 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 going to various cities across 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 have suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There is a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient could be improved with little pain, little hospital time, and a little motivation. The present evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the answer.