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

Knee Stem Cell Injections - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that happen to any level of the spinal cord. Although the hard bones of the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless be broken or dislocated in many different 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 since the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information traveling around the human body. Just 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 for example falls and automobile accidents account for many spinal-cord injuries, tumors growing near to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and possess the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Injections - For years scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, though limited success. However, lately a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping many people around the world regain part, it not exclusively, 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 Cells - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to distinguish into a diverse array of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They are 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. 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, plus instances where the patient has not yet experienced a complete vertebrae injury, i.e. a whole 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' would be the focus of stem cell treatment, and so are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The procedure usually follows three phases and often requires no longer than the usual period of around five weeks in health care for monitoring:

Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. Cellular structure are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They are then put through a procedure whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured to become suitable for clinical use.

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

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

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

3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.

Phase three requires the monitoring of the patient to make certain there are no adverse negative effects. The only side effects reported thus far 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 as well as other treatments as necessary.

Stem Cell Research and Treatment in China

China is quickly becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and is now a major centre for your stem cell treating 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 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 united states, Germany, Japan as well as the UK.

The government in addition has aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search 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 to China has contributed significantly towards the country's success within the field." The authors were "amazed that most the top Chinese researchers in the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US as well as the UK and gained extensive working experience there in cutting edge research."

Although previously treatment in China may have been considered risky as a result 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, proof of safety and efficacy through clinical trials 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 laser hair removal for spinal cord injury at one Beijing clinic alone, including roughly 1,000 foreigners.

Furthermore, China has long held a location at the forefront of stem cell research to take care of all manner of conditions. Some 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 the 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 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 presently 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 beginning phase 2 numerous studies to test the efficacy and safety of using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to deal with about 40 patients with vertebrae injuries.
Clinical trials are underway around 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 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 over the last few years. It is important to understand that not every patient will react and more, 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 going number 2. Within 8 months of the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (even though the toes of one foot remained 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 an accident while diving in to a river that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that not only could he are now using his arms almost normally, and may feel pain in a number of of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He proceeded to add the following: "Now I will control my urine for 10 mins and the sensation for both urine and stool is much better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury carrying out a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his insufficient 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 nearly all 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 that he regained control and strength as part of his left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and stand for prolonged periods of time.

There are lots of more success stories from patients that have received this pioneering treatment to help correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it will always be important to remember that not all patients recover the same functions in the same time frame. A lot of hard work adopts 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 work 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 who have spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Every month, more and more people are travelling to various cities round the country that offer different packages of treatment based on precisely what injury has been 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 no more feel theirs can be a lost cause. There's a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient could be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries is the solution.