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Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier
Knee Stem Cells - 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 with the spinal cord, vertebrae can nevertheless be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Spinal-cord injuries vary inside their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality as 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 region of the spine that's been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts including falls and motor vehicle accidents account for many spinal-cord injuries, tumors growing near the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and also have the same effects.
Knee Stem Cells - For years scientists have been working to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, but with limited success. However, recently a pioneering new technology has emerged that is helping thousands of people around the world regain part, if not all, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment solutions are the use of stem cells.
What exactly are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?
Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse selection of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their capacity 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 may 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 now being applied to treating spinal cord injuries using stem cells, plus instances where the patient has not experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. an entire severing of the spinal-cord 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
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' are the focus of stem cell treatment, and so are the nerve cells how the treatment helps to regenerate. The procedure usually follows three phases and usually requires no longer than the usual period of around five weeks in health care for monitoring:
Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. The cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They may be then put through a process whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured being suitable for clinical use.
Phase two will be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is accomplished in one of three ways:
1) Lumbar puncture - a process 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 requires the monitoring of the patient to ensure there are no adverse unwanted effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, and not the stem cell treatment itself, with simply 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 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 scenarios. The Chinese government has poured 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 and also the UK.
The government has also aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search 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 in the field." The authors were "amazed that most the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field ended up educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in leading edge research."
Although in the past 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 individual, 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, ensuring that Chinese clinics meet international standards within 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.
Additionally, China has long held a location at the forefront of stem cell research to take care of 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 into the immature ovum cell of the rabbit, researchers from a Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.
China to date 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 during those times only two other groups worldwide had managed 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 help 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 numerous 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 use of stem cells to deal with heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and to combat aging.
Testimonials from the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries in China
Many people of all ages and with varying degrees of injury have received stem cell treatment in China throughout the last few years. It is important to remember that not every patient will react and more, and that the age of the individual and the severity of damages greatly affect the chances 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 it was unable to control her bowel motions. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement in both her legs, could bend her knees (even though toes of one foot remained as paralyzed) and was even capable of 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 right into a river that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that does not only could he moved to his arms almost normally, and may feel pain in many of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He continued to add the following: "Now I will control my urine for Ten minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is way better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than before."
Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his insufficient sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald stayed in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he had been unable to walk unaided. Following the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has created 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 went back, helping him to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was which he regained control and strength in his 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 have received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover the same functions in the same time period. A lot of hard work switches into the post treatment rehabilitation, plus it takes great drive, determination and ambition to allow 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 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 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 in recent years, and continues to improve every month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to possess suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There's a very real chance the standard of living of any patient may be improved with little pain, little hospital time, plus a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the answer.
