Archive for the ‘stem cell news’ Category

Stem Cells for Arthritis Patients

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

Arthritis has long been huge anomaly for medical researchers across the world, but it appears that a commendable step has been taken towards giving relief to patients who have long been reeling under the excruciating pain. It has been confirmed that as part of a collaborative research, a new therapy has been devised which can use adult stem cells to repair the damaged joints.

So far, millions of patients were dependent on non-invasive treatments such as painkillers and physiotherapy, but this is probably a novel means through which a lot could be done to cure the patients.

Though joint replacement surgery is being seen as a sure shot treatment, one has to go through a long ordeal before going for the surgery as the last possible option.

As of now, the team is looking for potential donors which could make things a lot easier for arthritis patients in terms of cost.

“This early experimental work is the first step on a journey that could significantly reduce the need for joint replacement operations”, said Prof Alan Silman, Medical Director of Arthritis Research UK.

As the research is getting the warranted attention, it’s being believed that this study if being extended could change the face of the disease and perhaps then nearly 8 million people in the UK would be able to get some relief.

 

Reported on Top News Arab Emirates – http://topnews.ae

Stem Cells Help Stroke Patients

Saturday, August 27th, 2011

As shown on HOUSTON (KTRK) — ABC – By Christi Myers

The use  of adult stem cells in medicine has gained national attention, partly because of Gov. Rick Perry’s presidential campaign. The governor made headlines this month after announcing he’d undergone a stem cell treatment during back surgery. He called the surgical procedure innovative. Others call it a big risk.

Using stem cells for anything other than a bone marrow transplant is considered experimental. But doctors are looking at a growing number of ways they can use adult stems cells, including how they can be used to help stroke victims even weeks after they’ve had the attack.

“Suddenly I couldn’t talk at all,” the stroke victim told us.

She had a stroke just as she was leaving Los Angeles.

“Two hours later, I would have been on an airplane. That would not have been good,” she said.

We can’t tell you her name because of the high-profile stem cell study in which she is a patient. But three days after she left the hospital and returned to Houston, she received a novel stroke treatment — her own stem cells.

“When I had the stroke, I was interested in what could be done for stroke with stem cells,” the stroke victim said.

UT Health Scientist Dr. Sean Savitz is conducting the study. The stem cells taken from a patient’s bone marrow are injected into the carotid artery and then seem to jumpstart healing.

“Stimulate things like new blood vessel formation, the formation of new brain cells, perhaps a reduction in the inflammation that’s occurring after a stroke,” Dr. Savitz said.

In a previous study, stem cells had to be given within three days. This study pushes it to 19 days. The current stroke treatment, clot busters, drugs have to be given in three hours!

“My voice has come back, I couldn’t talk at all and I still sometimes can’t get words out but I’m getting much, much better,” the stroke victim said.

The 67-year-old cosmetics developer is back at work, two months after getting stem cells after her stroke.

“She’s independent when she’s functioning during the day and that’s what we’re really happy about, the rehabilitation when somebody’s able to go back to their life,” Dr. Savitz said.

“To be part of this is wonderful for myself and for hopefully other people I could help behind me,” the patient said.

The stem cell-stroke study is taking new patients. If you have a loved one who is within 19 days of a stroke, visit the UTHealth website for information.

 

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