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Stem Cell Strategy for Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier
Knee Stem Cells - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that occur to any level of the spinal cord. Although the hard bones of the spinal column protect the soft tissues of the spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in a number of ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Spinal-cord injuries vary in their severity, but almost inevitably lead to various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information traveling around the human body. Exactly 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 such as falls and motor vehicle accidents account for many spinal-cord injuries, tumors growing near the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and have the same effects.
Knee Stem Cell Injections - For many years scientists have been working to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that vertebrae injuries can bring, though limited success. However, recently a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping lots of people around the world regain part, it not exclusively, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment solutions are 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 therefore are characterized by their ability to distinguish into a diverse range of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their ability 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. Based on the condition, stem cells may be transplanted into the patient to help 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 yet experienced a complete spinal-cord injury, i.e. an entire severing of the vertebrae leading to a loss of function beneath 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
When there is trauma to the spinal-cord, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages back and forth from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' would be the focus of stem cell treatment, and are the nerve cells that the treatment helps to regenerate. The procedure usually follows three phases and usually requires no longer when compared to a period of around five weeks in medical care for monitoring:
Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. Cellular structure are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They may be then put through an activity whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being finally cultured being suitable for clinical use.
Phase two will be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is accomplished in one of 3 ways:
1) Lumbar puncture - an operation used where stem cells can be injected directly into the backbone.
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 negative effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, rather than the stem cell treatment itself, with only 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. At that time 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 also now a major centre for the stem cell treating many diseases and conditions. The Chinese government has poured many millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, which 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 through the contributions of experts in the USA, Germany, Japan and the UK.
The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of its ambition to become 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 within the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers within the regenerative medicine field had been educated in the US as well as the UK and gained extensive working experience there in leading edge research."
Although in the past treatment in China might have been considered risky due to lax health and safety laws, recent times 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 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 location at the forefront of stem cell research to deal with all manner of conditions. Some of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:
By transferring the nucleus of your human skin cell to the immature ovum cell of the 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 at that time only two other groups worldwide had was able to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulatory, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
Furthermore, Chinese researchers are presently 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, are starting phase 2 numerous studies to test the efficacy and safety of using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to take care of about 40 patients with vertebrae injuries.
Clinical trials are underway around the use of stem cell therapies to take care of patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Research is underway on the potential usage of stem cells to take care of 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 examples 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 and more, and that the age of the sufferer and the severity of the injury greatly affect the likelihood 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 underneath the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months from 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 capable of 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 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 continued to add the following: "Now I'm able to control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my physique is more powerful than before."
Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, a break down 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. Pursuing the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald makes significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout nearly all of his abdomen, and also the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most significant 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 that have received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it will always be important to remember that not all patients recover exactly the same functions in the same time period. A lot of hard work goes into the post treatment rehabilitation, and 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 individuals with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, more and more people are going to various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury continues to be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly recently, and continues to improve monthly, meaning that those unfortunate enough to get suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs is really a lost cause. There's a very real chance the standard of living of any patient could be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The current evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal-cord injuries is the way forward.
