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Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier

Knee Stem Cell Injections - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that eventually any level of the spinal-cord. Although the hard bones of the spinal column protect the soft tissues of the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably cause various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information traveling around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the region of the spine that has been damaged and the extent to which the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts including falls and automobile accidents account for many spinal cord injuries, tumors growing near the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and possess the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Injections - For many years scientists have been working to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, but with limited success. However, in recent years a pioneering new technology has emerged that is helping lots of people around the world regain part, if not completely, 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 simply in all multi cellular organisms and therefore are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They're remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their used in the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. Depending on the condition, stem cells can 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 the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, plus instances where the patient has not 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 good success in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.

Vertebrae Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

If you have trauma to the vertebrae, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages back and forth from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' would be the focus of stem cell treatment, and therefore are the nerve cells that the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases in most cases requires no longer than a period of around five weeks in medical care for monitoring:

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

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

1) Lumbar puncture - a process used where stem cells can be injected directly into the spinal column.

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

3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.

Phase three requires the monitoring of the patient to ensure there are no adverse unwanted effects. The only side effects reported thus far were caused by the lumbar puncture, and not the stem cell treatment itself, just 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. During the 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 that stem cell management of many diseases and types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured many millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, understanding that investment has really borne fruit during 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 united states, Germany, Japan and the UK.

The government has also aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad looking for 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 for the country's success in the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field had been educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in leading edge research."

Although previously treatment in China could have been considered risky as a result of lax health and safety laws, the past few years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the patient, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof safety and efficacy through many 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 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.

Furthermore, China has long held a spot at the forefront of stem cell research to deal with all manner of conditions. A few of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:

By transferring the nucleus of a human skin cell to the immature ovum cell of your rabbit, researchers from your 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 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 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 numerous studies to test the efficacy and safety of using 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 deal with 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 also to combat aging.
Testimonials from the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries in China

Many individuals of all ages and with varying examples 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 as well as others, and that the age of the sufferer and the severity of damages 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 below the injury site, and was unable to control her going number 2. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement in both her legs, could bend her knees (although 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 any sort of accident while diving into a river that left him paralyzed from your neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that doesn't 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 proceeded to add the following: "Now I'm able to control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation both for urine and stool is way better. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 year old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his insufficient sensation in his lower body, however there was complications and Donald remained in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has created significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout nearly all of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, helping him to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was which he regained control and strength in the 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 aid correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover the identical functions in the same time frame. A lot of hard work adopts the post treatment rehabilitation, also 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 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. Every month, more and more people are going to various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment based on precisely what injury has been inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly lately, and continues to improve monthly, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need no more 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 present evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the solution.