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Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier

Knee Stem Cell Injections - 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 from the spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in a number of ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information traveling around the human body. Precisely what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the region of the spine that's been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine continues to be affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and automobile accidents account for many spinal-cord injuries, tumors growing close to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and have the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - For decades 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, in recent years a pioneering new technology has emerged that is helping many people around the world regain part, if not completely, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment is the use of stem cells.

What are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?

Knee Stem Cells - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse array of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their use within the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Ms, 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 is now being applied to the management of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, as well as 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 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 back and forth from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' are the focus of stem cell treatment, and so are the nerve cells how the treatment helps to regenerate. The procedure usually follows three phases and usually requires no longer when compared to a period of around five weeks in health care for monitoring:

Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. Cellular structure are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They're then put through a procedure whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured to become suitable for clinical use.

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

1) Lumbar puncture - an operation used where stem cells can 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 involves the monitoring of the patient to make sure there are no adverse side effects. The only side effects reported to date were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never the stem cell treatment itself, with simply 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 also now a major centre for the stem cell treatment of many diseases and conditions. The Chinese government has poured many millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, understanding that 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 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only by the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan and also the UK.

The government has also aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search 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 back to China has contributed significantly towards the country's success in the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US and also the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in cutting edge research."

Although before treatment in China might have been considered risky due to 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 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 a human skin cell in to 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 during those times only two other groups worldwide had was able to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including blood vessel, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
Furthermore, Chinese researchers are currently 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 using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to deal with about 40 patients with vertebrae injuries.
Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to treat patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Research is underway on the potential utilization of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and also to combat aging.
Testimonials from the Treatment of Spinal-cord Injuries in China

Many individuals 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 patient and the severity of the injury greatly affect the chances of recovery. However, there has 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 bowel movements. Within 8 months of the treatment she regained movement in the her legs, could bend her knees (even though the toes of one foot were still paralyzed) and was even able to walk with crutches.

Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for several bouts of stem cell treatment following a major accident while diving into a river that left him paralyzed in the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that not only could he now use his arms almost normally, and might feel pain in many 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 mins and the sensation for urine and stool is way better. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 year old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent a surgical procedure to correct his not enough sensation in his lower body, however there have been complications and Donald remained in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still unable to walk unaided. Following 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 went back, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most significant to Donald was he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and are a symbol of prolonged periods of time.

There are many more success stories from patients that have received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover the same functions in the same period of time. A lot of hard work goes into the post treatment rehabilitation, also it takes great drive, determination and ambition to allow the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the task being done by scientists and clinics in China shows 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 going to various cities around the country that offer different packages of treatment based on precisely what injury may be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly lately, and continues to improve monthly, meaning that those unfortunate enough to get suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs is really a lost cause. There is a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient can be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries is the way forward.