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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The brand new Frontier
Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that eventually any level of the spinal-cord. Although the hard bones from the spinal column protect the soft tissues of 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 inside their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information to travel around the human body. Just what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the area 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 motor vehicle 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 decades scientists have been trying to try and find a way to remedy the different ailments that vertebrae injuries can bring, but with limited success. However, recently a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping many people around the world regain part, if not completely, 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 range of specialized cells once they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their capacity to regenerate themselves into almost any other human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. With respect to the condition, stem cells could 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 currently being applied to the management of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, and in instances where the patient hasn't experienced a complete vertebrae injury, i.e. an entire severing of the vertebrae leading to a loss of function underneath the 'neurological' level. There has been positive results in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.
Vertebrae Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works
If you find trauma to the vertebrae, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages back and forth from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' will be the focus of stem cell treatment, and therefore are the nerve cells how the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases and usually requires no longer than a period of around five weeks in medical care for monitoring:
Phase one requires the harvesting of stem cells. Cells 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 is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is accomplished in one of three ways:
1) Lumbar puncture - an operation used where stem cells can 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 certain 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 simply 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 also now a major centre for the 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 from the contributions of experts in the USA, Germany, Japan and the UK.
The government has also aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad looking for 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 for the country's success within the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all the top Chinese researchers in the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US as well as the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in leading edge research."
Although previously treatment in China may have been considered risky as a result of lax health and safety laws, recent 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 Secretary of state for Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, ensuring that Chinese clinics meet international standards in their qualifications and methodology. At the time 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 treat all manner of conditions. Some of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:
By transferring the nucleus of your human skin cell in to the immature ovum cell of your 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 during those times only two other groups worldwide had were 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. Listed here are several projects underway within Chinese institutions:
ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, are starting phase 2 many studies to test the efficacy and safety of employing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to take care of about 40 patients with spinal-cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway on 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 utilization of stem cells to deal with heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and 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 as well as others, and that the age of the patient and the severity of damages greatly affect the odds 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 below the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel motions. Within 8 months with the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (even though 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 now use his arms almost normally, and might feel pain in a number of 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 Ten minutes and the sensation for both urine and stool is much better. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than ever before."
Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there have been 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 has made significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout nearly all of his abdomen, and also 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 which he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him to walk significant distances and stand for prolonged periods of time.
There are numerous more success stories from patients who have received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover the same functions in the same period of time. A lot of hard work switches into the post treatment rehabilitation, plus it takes great drive, determination and ambition make it possible for the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the job being done by scientists and clinics in China has shown 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. On a monthly basis, more and more people are visiting 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 a lost cause. There's 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 way forward.
