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

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that happen to any level of the vertebrae. Although the hard bones with the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. Spinal-cord injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information to travel around the human body. Precisely what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the area of the spine that's been damaged and the extent that the spine continues to be affected. Although serious impacts including falls and motor vehicle accidents account for many vertebrae injuries, tumors growing near the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and have the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - For many years scientists have been trying to try and find a way to remedy the different ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, but with limited success. However, lately a pioneering new technology has emerged that is helping thousands of people around the world regain part, if not completely, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment is 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 tell apart into a diverse selection of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their capacity to regenerate themselves into just about any human cell. Their used in the treatment of various diseases and conditions, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. Depending on 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 treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, as well as in instances where the patient has not yet experienced a complete spinal-cord injury, i.e. a complete severing of the spinal-cord leading to a loss of function beneath the 'neurological' level. There has been positive results in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.

Spinal-cord 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' will be the focus of stem cell treatment, and are the nerve cells how the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases and usually requires no longer than the usual period of around five weeks in health care for monitoring:

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

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

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

2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected to 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 unwanted effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never 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 it is now a major centre for that stem cell treatment of many diseases and types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, and 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 through the contributions of experts in the USA, Germany, Japan as well as 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 to China has contributed significantly to the country's success within the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all the top Chinese researchers within the regenerative medicine field ended up educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in cutting 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 individual, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof of safety and efficacy through many studies is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making sure Chinese clinics meet international standards in 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 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 your human skin cell into the immature ovum cell of your 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 at that time only two other groups worldwide had was able to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulation system, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
Furthermore, Chinese researchers are involved with a myriad of projects to assist 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, start phase 2 many studies to test the efficacy and safety of employing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to treat about 40 patients with vertebrae injuries.
Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to deal with patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Studies are underway on the potential usage of stem cells to deal with heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and also to combat aging.
Testimonials from the Treatment of Spinal-cord Injuries in China

Many people of all ages and with varying examples 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 as well as others, and that the age of the patient and the severity of the damage greatly affect the chances 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 beneath the injury site, and was unable to control her going number 2. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (although the toes of one foot were still paralyzed) and was even capable of walk with crutches.

Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for many bouts of stem cell treatment following any sort of 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 are now using his arms almost normally, and could feel pain in a number of of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He went on to add the following: "Now I can control my urine for Ten minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my system is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 year old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his not enough sensation in his lower body, however there have been complications and Donald remained in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has created significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout nearly all of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was that 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 will always be important to remember that not all patients recover the identical functions in the same time period. A lot of hard work switches into the post treatment rehabilitation, also it takes great drive, determination and ambition make it possible for the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the work being done by scientists and clinics in China has shown time and again that stem cells hold a critical key to the future of helping individuals with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, more and more people are visiting various cities round the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury has been inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly lately, and continues to improve monthly, meaning that those unfortunate enough to get suffered spinal cord injuries need will no longer feel theirs is a lost cause. There's a very real chance how the standard of living of any patient can be improved with little pain, little hospital time, plus a little motivation. The current evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries is the answer.