Nasal Stem Cell Treatment Key To Spinal Cord Repair

February 27, 2012 By 1 Comment

Recently, a team of scientists working for RhinoCyte™ Inc., of Louisville, Kentucky, conducted a new study on the effectiveness of using nasal stem cell treatment to repair damage to the spinal cord caused by contusions. The study, which was featured in the Journal of Neurodegeneration and Regeneration, was led by Dr. Fred Roisen.

stem cell treatment for spinal injuriesThis type of stem cell treatment may have a major impact on the lives of many people who are suffering from spinal injuries. Spinal contusions, or bruising, as it is more commonly known, can result from major trauma, such as that endured in an automobile accident, after a fall or during military combat. Approximately five million people around the world suffer from some type of spinal cord injury. More than twenty-five percent of those people are here in America, where treatment costs exceed forty billion dollars every year.

Currently, treatment options for spinal cord injuries are limited to rehabilitation and retention of mobility. Drug therapies are not available for these patients. However, stem cell research has shown great promise for treating this type of injury as well as a number of other types of neurodegeneration.

Previously, this group made national news with an experiment they conducted on lab rats. The spinal cords of the rodents were partially cut at the neck, causing paralysis in one of the front feet. After the rats were injected with nasal stem cells, significant use of the limb was regained.

The stem cells used in the study were derived from the olfactory neurosensory epithelium, which is the part of the nose that is responsible for the sense of smell. The cells were taken from adults already scheduled to undergo some form of elective sinus surgery who volunteered to be donors.

The stem cell extraction process did not affect the donor’s sense of smell in any way. In addition, the surgery is minimally invasive and is usually done as an outpatient service.

The stem cells were isolated and an enriched solution was added to increase the number of cells. Then the stem cells were injected into several of the lab rats. Within only twelve weeks, the test subjects had regained control of the affected foot. The control group, which was not given the stem cell treatment, did not experience the same positive results.

After additional testing showed continuously promising results, Dr. Roisen said, “This is very exciting on numerous levels.” Because the patient plays the role of both recipient and donor, there is no time spent waiting for a suitable donor and the need for immunosuppressive drugs is eliminated. Dr. Roisen also said, “And just as importantly, stem cells taken from the nose of an adult do away with the ethical concerns associated with using embryonic stem cells.”

 

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Back Surgery Revolutionized by Adult Stem Cells

January 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

For many, many years, the only solution available for men and women suffering from chronic and debilitating back pain was either invasive surgery or the use of strong painkillers for an extended length of time. However, neither one of these options treat the underlying cause of the back pain, nor do they provide the promise of a more permanent, real solution.

Fortunately, the progress in medical technology has led to a better solution than many may have thought would ever be possible. Adult stem cells are being used today to regenerate spinal tissue, offering individuals with back pain an option for rehabilitation that is the ideal combination of modern science and cutting edge technology.

 

In The Past

A number of different factors can lead to back pain, such as aging, congenital defect or injury. When the tissue surrounding and cushioning the vertebrae is compromised, the discs in the spine are injured, resulting in excruciating pain.

Traditionally, treatment for such back pain included rest, painkillers and sometimes surgery. More often than not, the pain returns and degeneration of the disc continues. The tissue surrounding the spine may become thin and dry, thus failing to cushion the spinal discs effectively. You have most likely heard of someone having a “ruptured disc” or a “slipped disc”. This is actual evidence that tissue degeneration is present and may lead to much suffering and limited mobility.

Back Surgery

Back Surgery

Previously, it was not possible to repair the damaged tissue of the spine, nor could the tissue regenerate. This is the reason back pain was often regarded as a lifelong affliction that had a negative impact on the sufferer’s life. However, the discovery of adult stem cells has brought about great change. For those who have lived disrupted lives of pain and misery, a new horizon has opened.

 

The Future Of Back Pain Relief

Mesenchymal stem cells are those that are harvested from the patient. Scientists and surgeons all around the world are using adult stem cells as a way to regrow cartilage as well as other types of tissue, previously thought irreparable. The greatest advantage is that since the stem cells are from the patient themselves, the risk of rejection is reduced and the healing process is accelerated.

This type of stem cells is not like any other because they can differentiate into cartilage, bone or fat tissue. When these cells are injected into the areas of the patient’s spine where tissue degeneration has occurred, modern day surgeons are able to facilitate recovery by using the person’s own body to relieve back pain that was once thought to be a permanent affliction.

The surgery itself is not very invasive and can be done rather quickly. In fact, the procedure is sometimes done as an outpatient service, but only by the most skilled surgeons. Long stays in the hospital and extended recovery times are a thing of the past, as is the reliance on strong painkillers for treatment, and adult stem cells are paving the revolutionary future.

New discoveries are being made every day in the field of adult stem cell research. If you are interested in finding out more, continue to visit us here at Stem Cell Universe.

 

 

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