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

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that occur 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 nevertheless be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Spinal cord 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 traveling around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired through the injury will depend on the region of the spine that has been damaged and the extent that the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts such as falls and motor vehicle accidents account for many spinal-cord injuries, tumors growing near the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and have the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - For years scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that vertebrae injuries can bring, but with limited success. However, recently a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping lots of 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 found in all multi cellular organisms and are characterized by their ability to distinguish into a diverse range of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their capacity to regenerate themselves into just about any human cell. Their used in the treatment of various diseases and conditions, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. Depending on the condition, stem cells could 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 currently being applied to the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, and in instances where the patient has not yet experienced a complete vertebrae 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

When there is trauma to the spinal-cord, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages back and forth from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' are 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 treatment for monitoring:

Phase one necessitates 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 accomplished in one of 3 ways:

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

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

3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.

Phase three necessitates the monitoring of the patient to make certain there are no adverse negative effects. The only side effects reported to date were caused by the lumbar puncture, and not the stem cell treatment itself, with simply 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 also now a major centre for your stem cell treatment 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 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 from the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan and also the UK.

The government in addition has aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search of its ambition to become 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 back to China has contributed significantly to the country's success within the field." The authors were "amazed that most the top Chinese researchers within 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 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, evidence of 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 in 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.

Additionally, 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 a human skin cell into the immature ovum cell of your rabbit, researchers from the 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 in those days 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. Listed 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 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 cardiac arrest, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Studies are underway on the potential usage of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and to combat aging.
Successes from the Treatment of Vertebrae Injuries in China

Many individuals of all ages and with varying examples of injury have received stem cell treatment in China over the last few years. It is important to keep in mind that not every patient will react as well as others, and that the age of the patient and the severity of the injury greatly affect the likelihood 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 from the treatment she regained movement in the her legs, could bend her knees (even though 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 an 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 are now using his arms almost normally, and might feel pain in a number of of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He continued to add the following: "Now I can control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is much better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than ever before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury carrying out a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there were 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. Pursuing the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has created significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, and also the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him simply to walk without tripping. Most significant to Donald was which he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and stand for prolonged periods of time.

There are lots of more success stories from patients who have received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is always important to remember that not all patients recover the identical functions in the same time frame. 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 people with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Every month, more and more people are going to various cities round the country that offer different packages of treatment according to precisely what injury continues to be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly recently, and continues to improve every month, 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 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.