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Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The New 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 from the spinal cord, vertebrae can nevertheless be broken or dislocated in a number of ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Vertebrae injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably cause various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the main 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 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 also have the same effects.

Knee Stem Cell Treatment - For many years scientists have been working to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that vertebrae 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 Cells - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and therefore are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse selection of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their capacity to regenerate themselves into almost any other 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 may 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 treating spinal cord injuries using stem cells, and in instances where the patient hasn't experienced a complete spinal-cord injury, i.e. a whole severing of the vertebrae leading to a loss of function underneath the 'neurological' level. There has been great 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' are the focus of stem cell treatment, and are the nerve cells that 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 care for monitoring:

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

Phase two may 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 into the patient's vein.

3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.

Phase three requires the monitoring of the patient to make sure there are no adverse unwanted effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, and not 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 treatment of many diseases and scenarios. The Chinese government has poured many 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 from the contributions of experts in the united states, Germany, Japan and also the UK.

The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of its ambition to become 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 for the country's success in the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US and also 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, the past few years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the individual, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof safety and efficacy through clinical trials is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making sure Chinese clinics meet international standards within their qualifications and methodology. At the time of January 2010, about 1,500 patients had received this treatment 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. A few of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are:

By transferring the nucleus of the human skin cell in to 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 which are of a specialized type that in those days only two other groups worldwide had were able to create.
Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulatory, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.
Furthermore, Chinese researchers are currently 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 beginning 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 on the use of stem cell therapies to treat patients of strokes, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.
Research is underway on the potential usage of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, also to combat aging.
Success Stories from the Treatment of Spinal-cord Injuries in China

Many individuals of all ages and with varying levels of injury have received stem cell treatment in China throughout the last few years. It is important to understand that not every patient will react and more, and that the age of the sufferer and the severity of the damage 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 below the injury site, and it was unable to control her going number 2. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement in the her legs, could bend her knees (although 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 a major accident while diving right into a river that left him paralyzed in the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that not only could he now use his arms almost normally, and could feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He went on to add the following: "Now I will control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than before."

Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury using a fall in 2002. He underwent a surgical procedure to correct his not enough sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald was left in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he had been unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has made significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly important, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, helping him to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was that he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.

There are numerous more success stories from patients who have received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying examples 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 switches into 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 job being done by scientists and clinics in China shows time and again that stem cells hold an essential key to the future of helping people with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, 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 lately, and continues to improve every month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to get suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There exists a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient may be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The present evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries is the way forward.