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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The New Frontier

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that occur to any level of the spinal cord. Although the hard bones with the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can nevertheless be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic problems for the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary inside 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 travel around the human body. Just what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the area of the spine which has been damaged and the extent to which the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts such as falls and automobile accidents account for many vertebrae injuries, tumors growing near to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and possess the same effects.

Knee Stem Cells - For decades scientists have been trying to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, however with limited success. However, recently a pioneering new technology has 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 Cells - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse selection of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their capability to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their use within 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 now being applied to the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, plus instances where the patient has not experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. a whole severing of the spinal cord leading to a loss of function underneath the 'neurological' level. There has been good success in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.

Spinal-cord Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works

If you find trauma to the vertebrae, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages to and 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 in most cases requires no longer than the usual period of around five weeks in medical treatment for monitoring:

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

Phase two is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is done in one of 3 ways:

1) Lumbar puncture - a process used where stem cells can be injected directly into the spine.

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 make sure there are no adverse side effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, rather than the stem cell treatment itself, just 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 fast-becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and is now a major centre for that stem cell treating many diseases and types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, which 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 the united states, 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 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 towards the country's success in the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field ended up educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive working experience 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 individual, 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 within 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.

Additionally, China has long held a place at the forefront of stem cell research to treat all manner of conditions. A number of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:

By transferring the nucleus of your human skin cell into the immature ovum cell of the rabbit, researchers from your Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.
China up to now 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 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 currently involved with a myriad of projects to assist aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Here are several projects underway within Chinese institutions:

ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, start phase 2 clinical trials to test the efficacy and safety of using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to treat 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.
Research is underway on the potential utilization of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and also to combat aging.
Testimonials from the Treatment of Vertebrae Injuries in China

Many people of all ages and with varying examples of injury have received stem cell treatment in China over 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 individual and the severity of the injury greatly affect the chances 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 it was unable to control her bowel motions. 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 right into a river that left him paralyzed from your neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that not only could he are now using his arms almost normally, and might feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He proceeded to add the following: "Now I'm able to control my urine for 10 mins and the sensation both for urine and stool is much better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than ever before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 year 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 was complications and Donald stayed in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still being unable to walk unaided. Pursuing the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has made significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout the majority of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, helping him simply to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and are a symbol of prolonged periods of time.

There are many more success stories from patients who have received this pioneering treatment to aid 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, 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 indicates time and again that stem cells hold a critical key to the future of helping people with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. On a monthly basis, more and more people are travelling to various cities round the country that offer different packages of treatment based on precisely what injury continues to be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly in recent years, and continues to improve each month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need will no longer feel theirs is a lost cause. There exists a very real chance the standard of living of any patient can 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 answer.