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

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that happen to any level of the spinal cord. Although the hard bones from the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can nevertheless be broken or dislocated in a number of ways and cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary in their severity, but almost inevitably cause various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the main pathway for information traveling around the human body. Precisely what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the location of the spine which has been damaged and the extent that the spine continues to be affected. Although serious impacts such as 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 Cells - For years scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, though limited success. However, recently a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping thousands 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 Cell Treatment - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse array of specialized cells once they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their ability 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 could 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 the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, as well as in instances where the patient hasn't experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. an entire 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.

Vertebrae Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

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

Phase one requires the harvesting of stem cells. Cellular structure are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They are then put through a process whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being finally cultured to be suitable for clinical use.

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

1) Lumbar puncture - a procedure used where stem cells could be injected directly into the backbone.

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

3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.

Phase three necessitates the monitoring of the patient to ensure there are no adverse side 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. During the 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 also now a major centre for that stem cell management of many diseases and conditions. The Chinese government has poured millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, which 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 through the contributions of experts in the united states, Germany, Japan as well as the UK.

The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search of its ambition to turn into 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 for the country's success inside the field." The authors were "amazed that most the top Chinese researchers within the regenerative medicine field ended up educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive working experience there in leading edge research."

Although before treatment in China may have been considered risky as a result of lax health and safety laws, recent times have seen an increase in legislation protecting the patient, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, evidence of 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 inside 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 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 into the immature ovum cell of the 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 that are of a specialized type that at that time only two other groups worldwide had was able to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulatory, 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. Below 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 employing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to deal with about 40 patients with spinal cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway on the use of stem cell therapies to treat patients of cardiac arrest, 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, also to combat aging.
Successes from the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries in China

Many 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 patient and the severity of damages greatly affect the odds of recovery. However, there have 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 in the 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 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 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 continued to add the following: "Now I'm able to control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for both urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my physique is more powerful than ever before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury carrying out a fall in 2002. He underwent an operation to correct his lack of 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 had been unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has created significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was he regained control and strength in the left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.

There are numerous more success stories from patients who've received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is always important to remember that not all patients recover exactly the same functions in the same time frame. A lot of hard work switches into the post treatment rehabilitation, and it takes great drive, determination and ambition to allow the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the job being done by scientists and clinics in China indicates time and again that stem cells hold an essential key to the future of helping people who have spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, more and more people are travelling to various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury may be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly lately, and continues to improve each month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs is really a lost cause. There's a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient can be improved with little pain, little hospital time, and a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the solution.