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Stem Cell Treatment for 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 from 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 problems for the spinal cord. Vertebrae injuries vary within 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 travel around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the region of the spine that's been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine continues to be affected. Although serious impacts for example 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 Cells - For many years scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the different ailments that spinal-cord injuries can bring, though limited success. However, in recent years a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping many 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 found in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to distinguish into a diverse selection of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They're remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into almost any other human cell. Their use within the treatment of various diseases and conditions, 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 has become being applied to the management 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. an entire severing of the spinal cord leading to a loss of function below 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 back and forth from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' are the focus of stem cell treatment, and therefore are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The task usually follows three phases and often requires no longer when compared to a period of around five weeks in medical treatment 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 an activity 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 done in one of 3 ways:
1) Lumbar puncture - a procedure used where stem cells can 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 unwanted 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. At that time under medical supervision, patients undergo various physiotherapy activities along with 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 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 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 year 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only through the contributions of experts in america, 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 turn into a world leader inside 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 in 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 experiences there in leading edge research."
Although previously treatment in China might have been considered risky because of lax health and safety laws, recent times have seen an increase in legislation protecting the sufferer, 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, ensuring that Chinese clinics meet international standards in 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.
Furthermore, China has long held a place at the forefront of stem cell research to treat all manner of conditions. Some of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:
By transferring the nucleus of a human skin cell in to the immature ovum cell of the rabbit, researchers from the 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 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 involved with a myriad of projects to help 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 utilizing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to treat about 40 patients with spinal-cord injuries.
Clinical trials are underway on the use of stem cell therapies to take care of 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 also to combat aging.
Success Stories from the Treatment of Spinal-cord Injuries in China
Lots of 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 as well as others, and that the age of the individual and the severity of the injury greatly affect the odds 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 below the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months of the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (although 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 a major accident while diving into a river that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that doesn't only could he moved to his arms almost normally, and may feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He continued to add the following: "Now I can control my urine for Ten minutes and the sensation both for urine and stool is much better. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than ever before."
Donald Maricelli, a 54 years 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. Following the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has created significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet went back, helping him to walk without tripping. Most significant to Donald was he regained control and strength in the left leg, allowing him just to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.
There are numerous more success stories from patients who've 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 goes 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 job being done by scientists and clinics in China has shown time and again that stem cells hold a very important key to the future of helping people who have spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, more and more people are visiting various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment according to precisely what injury may be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly lately, and continues to improve each month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to get suffered spinal cord injuries need will no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There exists a very real chance the standard of living of any patient may 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 way forward.
