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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The New 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 variety of ways and cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary in their severity, but almost inevitably lead to various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information traveling around the human body. Precisely what body functions are impaired through the injury will depend on the region of the spine that has been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine continues to be affected. Although serious impacts including falls and automobile accidents account for many vertebrae injuries, tumors growing near the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and possess 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, recently a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping lots of people around the world regain part, it not exclusively, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment solutions are 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 therefore are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into just about any human cell. Their use 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 help renew and regenerate previously damaged cells, giving patients renewed hope when, before, no reliable treatment existed.
This principle is currently being applied to treating spinal cord injuries using stem cells, and in 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 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 that the treatment helps to regenerate. The task usually follows three phases and often requires no longer than the usual 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're then put through a process whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured being suitable for clinical use.
Phase two may be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is done in one of 3 ways:
1) Lumbar puncture - a procedure 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 necessitates the monitoring of the patient to make certain there are no adverse side effects. The only side effects reported thus far were caused by the lumbar puncture, and not the stem cell treatment itself, with only 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. At that 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 now a major centre for your 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 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 as well as the UK.
The government in addition has aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of its ambition to become 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 returning to China has contributed significantly to the country's success within the field." The authors were "amazed that most the top Chinese researchers in the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive experiences there in cutting edge research."
Although previously treatment in China might 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 of safety and efficacy through numerous studies is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making sure Chinese clinics meet international standards inside 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.
Furthermore, China has long held a spot 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 a rabbit, researchers from a 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 at that time only two other groups worldwide had managed 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, start phase 2 many studies to test the efficacy and safety of using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to deal with 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.
Studies are underway on the potential use of stem cells to take care of heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and to combat aging.
Success Stories from the Treatment of Vertebrae Injuries in China
Lots of people 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 understand 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 it was unable to control her going number 2. Within 8 months of the treatment she regained movement in both her legs, could bend her knees (although 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 a number of bouts of stem cell treatment following a major accident while diving in to a river that left him paralyzed in the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that does not only could he are now using his arms almost normally, and may feel pain in several 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 more preferable. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than ever before."
Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury carrying out a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his not enough sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald remained 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, as well as the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him simply to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was that he regained control and strength as part of his left leg, allowing him just to walk significant distances and are a symbol of prolonged periods of time.
There are many more success stories from patients who've received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying examples 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 adopts the post treatment rehabilitation, and 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 has shown time and again that stem cells hold a very important key to the future of helping people who have spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Every month, more and more people are visiting various cities around 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 each month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs is 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, and a little motivation. The current evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries is the way forward.
