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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that eventually any level of the vertebrae. Although the hard bones with the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can nevertheless be broken or dislocated in a variety of ways and cause traumatic problems for the spinal cord. Vertebrae injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information to visit around the human body. Precisely what body functions are impaired through 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 car accidents account for many spinal-cord injuries, tumors growing close to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and also have the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Injections - For years scientists have been working to try and find a way to remedy the different ailments that spinal-cord injuries can bring, however with limited success. However, lately 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 methods are the use of stem cells.

What exactly are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?

Knee Stem Cells - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and are characterized by their ability to distinguish into a diverse range of specialized cells once they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their capability to regenerate themselves into just about any human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and conditions, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. Based on the condition, stem cells may be transplanted into the patient to assist renew and regenerate previously damaged cells, giving patients renewed hope when, before, no reliable treatment existed.

This principle is now being applied to treating spinal cord injuries using stem cells, and in instances where the patient has not yet 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 great success in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.

Spinal Cord Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

When there is 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 in most cases requires no longer when compared to a period of around five weeks in medical care for monitoring:

Phase one requires the harvesting of stem cells. Cellular structure 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 to become suitable for clinical use.

Phase two will be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is done in one of 3 ways:

1) Lumbar puncture - an operation used where stem cells may be injected directly into the spine.

2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected to 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 side effects. The only side effects reported to date 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 that 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 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 america, Germany, Japan and the UK.

The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of its ambition to become 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 returning to China has contributed significantly towards the country's success in the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all the top Chinese researchers in the regenerative medicine field had been educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive working experience there in leading edge research."

Although previously treatment in China could have been considered risky as a result 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, proof of safety and efficacy through numerous studies is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making certain Chinese clinics meet international standards in their qualifications and methodology. At the time 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.

In addition to this, China has long held a place 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 the human skin cell in to the immature ovum cell of a rabbit, researchers from your Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.
China up to now 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 circulation system, 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. Below are several projects underway within Chinese institutions:

ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, are beginning phase 2 numerous studies to test the efficacy and safety of using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to take care of about 40 patients with spinal cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway around the use of stem cell therapies to deal with patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Research is underway on the potential usage of stem cells to deal with heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, also to combat aging.
Testimonials from the Treatment of Vertebrae Injuries in China

Many people 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 keep in mind that not every patient will react and more, and that the age of the patient and the severity of the damage greatly affect the chances 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 beneath the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel motions. Within 8 months of the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (even though 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 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 now use his arms almost normally, and could feel pain in many 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 10 mins and the sensation both for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 year old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his not enough 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 the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald makes significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, and also the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly crucial, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, helping him to walk without tripping. Most significant to Donald was he regained control and strength in the left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and are a symbol of prolonged periods of time.

There are lots of more success stories from patients who've received this pioneering treatment to help correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover exactly the same functions in the same time frame. A lot of hard work adopts the post treatment rehabilitation, plus it takes great drive, determination and ambition to allow 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 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 going to various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment according to precisely what injury continues to be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly lately, and continues to improve each month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to get suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs is a lost cause. There exists a very real chance the standard of living of any patient can be improved with little pain, little hospital time, and a little motivation. The present evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal-cord injuries is the answer.