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

Knee Stem Cells - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that occur to any level of the spinal-cord. Although the hard bones with the spinal column protect the soft tissues of the spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in a number 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 primary pathway for information to visit around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired through the injury will depend on the area of the spine that's 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 close to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and possess the same effects.

Knee Stem Cells - For years scientists have been trying to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that spinal-cord injuries can bring, though limited success. However, lately a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping lots of people around the world regain part, if not completely, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment solutions are the use of stem cells.

Exactly what are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Stem cells are simply in all multi cellular organisms and are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse selection of specialized cells once they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their capability to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their used in the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. Depending on the condition, stem cells may 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 treating spinal cord injuries using stem cells, plus instances where the patient has not yet experienced a complete vertebrae injury, i.e. a complete severing of the vertebrae leading to a loss of function beneath the 'neurological' level. There has been great success in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.

Spinal Cord Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

If you have 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' will be the focus of stem cell treatment, and therefore are the nerve cells that the treatment helps to regenerate. The procedure usually follows three phases and often requires no longer than the usual period of around five weeks in health care for monitoring:

Phase one requires the harvesting of stem cells. The cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They're then put through a process whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being finally cultured to be suitable for clinical use.

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

1) Lumbar puncture - a process 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 make sure there are no adverse negative effects. The only side effects reported thus far were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never the stem cell treatment itself, with only 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. At that time 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 is now a major centre for the 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 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only through the contributions of experts in the USA, Germany, Japan and also the UK.

The government has also aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search of 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 within the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field have been 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 as a result of 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, making certain Chinese clinics meet international standards within their qualifications and methodology. As 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.

Furthermore, China has long held a location at the forefront of stem cell research to take care of all manner of conditions. Some of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:

By transferring the nucleus of the human skin cell in to the immature ovum cell of your rabbit, researchers from a 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 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 currently involved with a myriad of projects to help 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 starting phase 2 clinical trials 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 treat patients of cardiac arrest, 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, and to combat aging.
Testimonials from the Treatment of Vertebrae Injuries in China

Many individuals of all ages and with varying levels of injury have received stem cell treatment in China during 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 sufferer and the severity of damages greatly affect the chances 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 beneath 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 (although 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 a number of bouts of stem cell treatment following an accident while diving into a river that left him paralyzed in the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that does not only could he now use 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 for urine and stool is much better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than ever before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury carrying out a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his not enough sensation in his lower body, however there have been complications and Donald stayed in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he had been unable to walk unaided. Pursuing the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has created significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout the majority of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet went back, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most significant to Donald was that he regained control and strength in 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 assist correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it will always be 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, and 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 has shown time and again that stem cells hold a very important key to the future of helping individuals with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Every month, more and more people are travelling to various cities around the country that offer different packages of treatment according to precisely what injury may be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly lately, and continues to improve each month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need will no longer feel theirs is really a lost cause. There's a very real chance how 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 spinal cord injuries is the way forward.