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

Knee Stem Cell Injections - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that happen to any level of the vertebrae. Although the hard bones with the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in a variety of ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary in their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the main pathway for information to visit around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the location of the spine that has been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine continues to 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 Cell Treatment - For decades scientists have been working to try and find a way to remedy the different ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, though limited success. However, lately a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping thousands of people around the world regain part, it not exclusively, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment is 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 are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse selection of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their capability to regenerate themselves into just about any human cell. Their use within the treatment of various diseases and types of conditions, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. Depending on the condition, stem cells can 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 currently 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 spinal cord injury, i.e. an entire severing of the vertebrae leading to a loss of function beneath 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 find 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' would be 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 than the usual period of around five weeks in medical treatment for monitoring:

Phase one necessitates 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 will be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is achieved in one of three ways:

1) Lumbar puncture - a process used where stem cells may 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 necessitates the monitoring of the patient to make sure there are no adverse negative effects. The only side effects reported thus far were caused by the lumbar puncture, rather than the stem cell treatment itself, with only 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. In the period under medical supervision, patients undergo various physiotherapy activities and other treatments as necessary.

Stem Cell Research and Treatment in China

China is quickly becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and is now a major centre for the stem cell treating many diseases and types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured many 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 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only by the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan and also the UK.

The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of 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 returning to China has contributed significantly to the country's success within 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 working experience there in cutting 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 patient, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof 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. By January 2010, about 1,500 patients had received this treatment for spinal cord injury at one Beijing clinic alone, including roughly 1,000 foreigners.

Additionally, 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 the human skin cell to the immature ovum cell of the 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 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 starting phase 2 clinical trials 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 about the use of stem cell therapies to take care of patients of strokes, 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, and to combat aging.
Success Stories from the Treatment of Spinal-cord Injuries in China

Many individuals of all ages and with varying levels of injury have received stem cell treatment in China throughout 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 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 underneath the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (even though the toes of one foot remained as paralyzed) and was even in a position to walk with crutches.

Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for several bouts of stem cell treatment following an accident while diving in to a river that left him paralyzed from your 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 several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He went on to add the following: "Now I'm able to control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for both urine and stool is way better. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there was complications and Donald stayed 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 the majority of his abdomen, as well as the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly crucial, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was that he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him 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 assist correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is always 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 enable 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 going to various cities round the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury may be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly recently, and continues to improve each month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to get suffered spinal cord injuries need no more feel theirs is really a lost cause. There is a very real chance how the standard of living of any patient could be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the way forward.