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Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier

Knee Stem Cells - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that eventually any level of the vertebrae. 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 variety of ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Vertebrae injuries vary inside their severity, but almost inevitably lead to various forms of compromised functionality as the spinal cord is in effect the main pathway for information to travel around the human body. Precisely 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 may 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 have 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, though limited success. However, in recent years a pioneering new technology has emerged that is helping many people around the world regain part, it not exclusively, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment solutions are the use of stem cells.

What are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse selection of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into almost any other human cell. Their used in the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. With respect to 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 has become being applied to the management of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, and in instances where the patient has not experienced a complete vertebrae injury, i.e. an entire severing of the spinal-cord leading to a loss of function below 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 both to and from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' will be 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 health care for monitoring:

Phase one necessitates the harvesting of stem cells. Cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They're then put through a procedure whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being finally cultured to be 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 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 ensure there are no adverse side effects. The only side effects reported thus far were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never the stem cell treatment itself, just 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 is now a major centre for your 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 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 the USA, Germany, Japan as well as the UK.

The government has additionally 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 to China has contributed significantly to the country's success within the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers within the regenerative medicine field had been educated in the US and also the UK and gained extensive working experience there in cutting edge research."

Although previously treatment in China could have been considered risky due to lax health and safety laws, the past few years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the sufferer, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof safety and efficacy through clinical trials is required by China's Secretary of state for Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, ensuring that Chinese clinics meet international standards inside their qualifications and methodology. As of January 2010, about 1,500 patients had received botox cosmetic injections 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 treat 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 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 that 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 currently involved with a myriad of projects to assist 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 many studies to test the efficacy and safety of using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to take care of about 40 patients with vertebrae injuries.
Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to take care of patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Research is 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 throughout the last few years. It is important to understand that not every patient will react as well as others, and that the age of the individual and the severity of the injury 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 underneath the injury site, and 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 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 many bouts of stem cell treatment following any sort of accident while diving in to a river that left him paralyzed in the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that not only could he moved to his arms almost normally, and may feel pain in many of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He continued to add the following: "Now I'm able to control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation both for urine and stool is more preferable. 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 insufficient sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald was left in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still unable to walk unaided. Pursuing the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has made significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout the majority of his abdomen, and also the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly crucial, the sensation on the bottom of his feet went back, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was that he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him just to walk significant distances and stand for prolonged periods of time.

There are many more success stories from patients who've received this pioneering treatment to help correct varying examples of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover the identical functions in the same time period. A lot of hard work goes into the post treatment rehabilitation, plus it takes great drive, determination and ambition make it possible for the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the task 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. On a monthly basis, more and more people are travelling to various cities around the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury continues to 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 will no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There is a very real chance how the standard of living of any patient can 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.