What is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cell therapy is a regenerative medicine that uses stem cells to repair and regenerate damaged cells or tissues. It is a promising approach that utilizes stem cells’ unique properties to treat various diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, autoimmune conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, and more. Research and clinical studies indicate that this novel therapeutic approach helps manage blood glucose levels in Type 2 diabetes patients by regrowing insulin-producing cells and restoring beta cell function.

Types of Stem Cells Used in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Multipotent or pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used for treating Type 2 Diabetes. They can be derived from various sources, either the patient’s body or donors. The primary sources of stem cell collection are embryos, bone marrow, adipose tissue (fatty tissue), and umbilical cord tissues.

• Embryonic stem cells are derived from early-stage embryos and can develop into any cell type within the body. They hold significant potential for diabetes treatment.
• Adult stem cells are present in diverse tissues in the body, such as the bone marrow, adipose tissue (fatty tissue), and umbilical cord. They exhibit a more multipotent differentiation capacity compared to embryonic stem cells. Nevertheless, they still hold the potential to generate insulin-producing beta cells.
• Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, originating from adult skin or blood cells that have undergone genetic reprogramming to exhibit properties of embryonic stem cells, present a viable alternative.

Most medical scientists prefer using human umbilical cord tissue because it contains abundant mesenchymal stem cells with high proliferation capacity. These cells are more robust than other sources and can differentiate into any cell type faster.

How Does Stem Cell Therapy Work For Type 2 Diabetes Work?

Multipotent or pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into insulin-producing beta cells to replace damaged cells and maintain the insulin level. The administered stem cells result in the development of new blood vessels that accelerate the secretion of growth factors to regulate the immune system. The stem cells create a supportive microenvironment to expedite the process of stem cell differentiation and healing response.

Utilizing stem cells helps regenerate pancreatic or insulin-producing beta cells, which boosts the body’s insulin level. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy suppresses the immune system, reduces inflammation, and repairs damaged pancreatic tissues.

Stem cell treatments help in managing Type 2 diabetes in the following ways.

• Immune Modulation – Stem cells possess immunomodulatory properties that regulate the immune system response in the pancreas, restoring its function in releasing insulin hormone to control blood glucose levels.
• Vascular Repair – Stem cells effectively address vascular complications in diabetes patients. They repair or replace damaged tissues and promote the growth of new blood vessels, improving circulation and tissue healing.
• Anti-inflammatory effects – Stem cells’ anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation and enhance insulin resistance, improving the overall health of diabetic patients.
• Beta Cell Regeneration – Type 2 diabetes destroys the insulin-producing beta cells and affects beta function, leading to uncontrolled sugar levels in the blood. Stem cells have remarkable potential to regrow beta or pancreatic cells to replace diseased ones.

Preliminary Procedures and Stem Cell Therapy Process

Before stem cell treatment for Type 2 diabetes, physicians examine the patient’s blood sugar level and other blood counts and assess the overall health condition to determine the feasibility of conducting therapy with mesenchymal stem cells. The patient’s medical history, allergies, pre-existing diseases, and health and lifestyle habits are also considered to qualify the patient for the therapy.

The prepared stem cells are injected intravenously via an IV dip, which takes one to two hours to complete. This is a standardized procedure for stem cell administration, and doctors monitor it to ensure the patient’s safety and comfort.

Healthcare providers conduct regular follow-ups to track the patient’s progress and improvement in the condition. Blood tests might be performed frequently to check the sugar level and assess how the body responds to the newly introduced stem cells.

Read Also: Stem Cell Treatment: Recent Advancements And New Applications

How Stem Cell Treatment Benefits Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Stem cell treatment for Type 2 diabetes is a safe and effective option for managing symptoms and improving the patient’s condition. After a few weeks of receiving stem cells, patients have experienced overall health improvement in the following ways.

• Blood sugar or glucose level stabilizes
• The wounds and ulcers caused by diabetes start healing
• Elimination of symptoms, such as frequent urination, hunger, and thirst
• Increased level of energy and stamina
• Reduced dependence on high doses of diabetic-controlling medicines

What is Avascular Necrosis (AVN)?

Avascular Necrosis or Osteonecrosis is a condition that causes bone tissues to die due to a lack of blood flow. It usually results from trauma or excessive fat deposits in weight-bearing joints, such as hips and knees. If left untreated, the consequences can be severe, leading to fractures, joint collapse, persistent pain, and limited mobility.

Osteonecrosis progresses when the bone cells in the joints (osteoblasts) cannot repair themselves due to decreased blood flow to the bones, start deteriorating, and eventually die.

Symptoms of Avascular Necrosis of the Hip

The early stages of Avascular Necrosis are mostly symptom-free, but with time, the affected joints in the hip start hurting when excessive pressure or weight is applied. Due to AVN, the skeletal structure in the portion below the hips, i.e., the upper leg, weakens, and the ball portion of the hip and joint socket collapses.

Other common symptoms of AVN noticeable in patients in later stages are:

• Persistent pain in the hips, buttocks, thighs, and knees
• Stiffness in the joints
• Limited mobility or range of motion
• Difficulty walking, bending, climbing, or standing

Read Also: Can Stem Cell Therapy Provide Relief From Chronic Knee Pain?

Traditional Treatment Approaches for Avascular Necrosis of the Hip

Although no medical treatment has proven effective for arresting or preventing AVN, conservative and non-surgical options may improve the symptoms and provide relief. However, medical management and treatments depend on the location of the AVN, the condition severity, the patient’s age, and overall health.

Non-surgical treatments include physiotherapy, pain-relief medicines, crutches, walkers, rest, reduced weight bearing, and electrical stimulation. Surgical procedures are the only option when these options fail to provide relief. Surgical treatments include total hip replacement, core decompression, bone graft, and total hip arthroplasty.

How Stem Cell Therapy Can Relieve Pain from Avascular Necrosis?

In exploring alternative treatment avenues to AVN, stem cell therapy is getting much attention because of its high differentiation and regenerative potential. Moreover, it prevents the need for complicated, painful, and invasive hip replacement surgery, which has a lengthy recovery period.

In the last few years, medical science has experienced a considerable shift in Avascular Necrosis treatment as stem cell therapy emerged as a promising treatment approach. Mesenchymal stem cells can reverse the damage by replacing bone cells in the affected hip joints with healthy cells and reducing pain and inflammation.

The five most important factors that make stem cell therapy stand out as a suitable treatment option for many are:

• Tissue regeneration – When stem cells are injected into the affected joints, they differentiate into osteoblasts (bone cells) and promote tissue regeneration. They replace the dead cells and repair the damaged ones, promoting functional recovery of the hip joints.
• Targeted Precision – Stem cell therapy for hip pain due to AVN provides a targeted precision approach to cell delivery. Doctors inject healthy and concentrated stem cells into the injured site to accelerate the regenerative and reparative process. The strategy focuses directly on the damaged or dead bone tissues and eliminates chances of collateral damage to the surrounding environment.
• Lower Risks – Surgical interventions for AVN, such as hip replacement, are inherently complicated and carry many risks. However, stem cell therapy is minimally invasive. Stem cells are harvested from the patient’s body or umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, reducing the chances of cell rejection or post-therapy complications.
• Holistic Healing – In addition to effectively addressing pain and other debilitating symptoms of AVN, stem cell treatments stimulate the body’s innate regenerative potential and promote holistic healing. The newly introduced stem cells target the root cause of the AVN, supporting sustainable relief and recovery.
• Quick recovery – The recovery period for stem cell therapy is significantly shorter than that for surgical interventions, and patients can usually leave the hospital on the same day and return to work within two to three days with a restricted range of motion in the affected joints.

Stem cell therapy offers a lasting and comprehensive treatment solution compared to surgical or traditional alternatives. Also, the targeted stem cell administration maximizes the effectiveness of the treatment.

Read Also: Healing Power Of Stem Cell Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide

Final Thoughts

Stem cell therapy has emerged as a pathbreaking solution for treating Avascular Necrosis. This noninvasive treatment intervention has given millions hope to combat this progressive condition and lead healthier lives. Cellular healing in AVN ensures patients regain their ability to walk, stand, and lean without any difficulty or discomfort. There is a significant reduction in pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected joints.

The remarkable potential of stem cell treatments in the regeneration of bone cells in the avascular area of the hip bone improves function, reducing the need for hip replacement surgery.

About Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute

Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute (LASCTI) stands out as Mexico’s best stem cell center for many health ailments, from autoimmune diseases to heart problems, aging, and orthopedic conditions. We boast a team of highly qualified and internationally recognized stem cell specialists and physicians. They ensure the highest standard of treatment and care with their extensive years of clinical experience in stem cell therapy and advanced research.

LASCTI has a proven track record of clinical success in stem cell therapy, with high positive outcomes and patient satisfaction. Our expertise, cutting-edge techniques, and holistic care make us a top choice for international patients for stem cell therapy in Mexico. Contact our medical team to discuss your health concerns, and we will solve your problem.

Spinal Fusion Surgery – An Overview

Spinal fusion surgery is a surgical procedure done to join two or more vertebrae in the spine to improve spinal stability and relieve pain. Orthopedic surgeons recommend spinal fusion when there is a fracture or injury in the spine bone, Spondylolisthesis, abnormal curvatures, or unstable spine due to a tumor or infection. Among all the reasons, Spondylolisthesis is very common, for which spinal fusion surgery is necessary. It is a critical condition where one vertebra slips out of place on top of another vertebra. It usually happens in the lower back, resulting in chronic back pain, sensory loss, and numbness.

In spinal fusion, the surgeon makes an incision in the spine region and uses bone grafts to link two or more vertebrae so that they combine and heal into a single bone. The surgery aims to restore spine stability and relieve pain during motion. It eliminates motion between two or more vertebrae and prevents stretching of surrounding nerves, ligaments, and muscles.

Advantages Of Spinal Fusion Surgery

Although spinal fusion is a complicated procedure, it offers distinct benefits to patients suffering from spine conditions and helps improve their quality of life.

• The surgery is intended to improve stability in the spine by locking motion between the adjacent affected bones or vertebrae. It ensures spinal flexibility with a comfortable range of motion among the unaffected vertebrae, thus allowing the spine to carry out various physical activities.
• Spinal fusion effectively reshapes the spine’s abnormal curvature when it curves sideways. It can help correct spinal deformities caused by conditions like scoliosis.
• The surgery helps deal with spinal weakness and instability resulting from severe spine arthritis due to excessive motion between two bones.

Read Also: Is Stem Cell Therapy A Cure For Neurodegenerative Diseases?

Risks and Complications of Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion has several risks and complications during the procedure and post-recovery. The complications range from minor issues that can be quickly resolved to severe ones requiring necessary interventions.

• Spinal infusion poses the risk of infection post-operation, leading to pain, swelling, and excessive drainage at the surgical site.
• Nerve damage during surgery is widespread, and this can result in pain, numbness, loss of sensation, and weakness in the lower back and legs.
• Other possible complications post-surgery include poor wound healing, blood clots, and pain at the grafting site.
• After the surgery, patients can experience complications, such as non-union of the fused vertebrae, which results in persistent pain in the back, leg, and foot.

Stem Cell Therapy – An Overview

Stem cells are undifferentiated immature cells found in the human body that can transform into a specific cell type and aid in tissue regeneration. Stem cell treatment for back pain promotes recovery from spinal damage caused by herniated or degenerative discs, sports injuries, accidents, etc.

The stem cell therapy process starts with stem cell harvesting either from the patient’s bone marrow or the donor’s. The harvested stem cells are concentrated in a clinical laboratory to prepare for injection, which is then introduced into the patient’s body. Stem cells can be injected intravenously or directly into the degenerate disc to start the healing process.

How Does Stem Cell Therapy Help Manage Back Pain?

The newly infused stem cells reach the target site and rapidly self-divide and self-renew into cartilage cells to replace the damaged tissues in the spinal disc. They release growth factors and promote tissue regeneration, allowing the damaged vertebrae to heal. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy using human umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells facilitates the formation of new blood vessels. It modulates a healthy surrounding cellular environment, enhancing the innate healing process.

Stem cells possess immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, which alleviate pain and inflammation. Over a few months, stem cell therapy completely repairs the damaged tissues, significantly improving spine stability and reducing pain.

Read Also: Stem Cell Basics: What They Are And How Do They Work

Advantages of Stem Cell Treatment in Spinal Damage

Multiple research and clinical studies show that stem cell interventions are effective for back pain and spinal cord injury are effective. Although this area of medical science is continuously being studied, the research results have been promising so far. The key benefits of stem cell therapy are as follows:

• Stem cell administration is minimally invasive and causes minimum pain and discomfort. Unlike spinal fusion, no incision or cut is required to inject the stem cells into the injured site. It is done either intravenously or through spinal injections.
• There is minimal chance of complications or side effects for stem cell therapy compared to traditional surgeries or spinal fusion.
• The time required to complete stem cell therapy is much shorter than surgeries and is done without general anesthesia.
• Stem cell therapy requires minimal recovery time, as patients can return home the same day. It also saves the costs of lengthy hospital stays and post-operative medications.
• Stem cell therapy promotes the natural healing of damaged tissues in the spinal cord and doesn’t take the support of artificial implants to stabilize the spine. Hence, it is safer and less complicated than spinal fusion.

Risks Associated With Stem Cell Therapy

Some risks exist despite the potential advantages of stem cell treatment for back pain and spinal damage.

• Like any other medical treatment, stem cell therapy can have minor and short-term side effects, such as allergies or infections.
• Patients might experience mild pain, swelling, redness, or rash at the injection site.
• There is a chance of cell rejection by the patient’s immune system. However, mesenchymal stem cells collected from human umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells can help avoid this risk because these are new cells collected after healthy births and have zero risk of cell rejection.
• Since stem cells can differentiate and multiply infinitely to form various cell types, it can lead to tumor formation.

Can Stem Cell Therapy Prevent the Need for Spinal Fusion Surgery?

Spinal fusion has been the most common treatment for degenerated discs, spinal cord injuries, and disc-related pain. The surgery relieves back pain by restricting motion in the affected vertebrae. However, current evidence in stem cell research suggests that it could create a paradigm shift in treating disc-related pain, providing necessary cellular support for tissue regeneration.

Stem cell therapy promotes back pain recovery by changing the disc environment with healthy cells. Statistics show that stem cells can significantly elevate the disc height between vertebrae and enhance spine stability. With more and more patients seeking less invasive, safe, and uncomplicated treatment procedures, stem cell therapy might serve as the best alternative to spinal fusion surgery, which is invasive, complicated, and has potential side effects.

Is Stem Cell Treatment The Right Choice For Me?

If you are experiencing persistent back pain with no signs of improvement after physiotherapy and medications, stem cell therapy is your probable solution. Back pain or spinal damage caused by degenerative disc disease, accidents, or sports-related injury can be treated using mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord tissue. It can lead to sustainable relief from pain. The injected stem cells stimulate the body’s natural healing power and regenerate healthier and new tissues in the injured discs to eliminate pain.

Unfortunately, not all patients with spinal cord injury are suitable for stem cell therapy. The patient’s age, past medical conditions, and pre-existing diseases are critical factors in qualifying for treatment.

Premier Stem Cell Center In Mexico

Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute offers safe and innovative therapies focusing on an integrated and patient-centered recovery approach. Our accredited facility adheres to international medical standards. Its team of highly qualified and certified stem cell specialists ensures that every patient has a comfortable stem cell therapy experience.

In addition to healing back pain, stem cell therapy is also a helpful treatment option for autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders, age-induced health problems, and many more.

Book a consultation today to learn more about stem cell therapy, the procedure, and how it may help you treat your condition.

Understanding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of respiratory diseases that results in lung inflammation and narrowing of the airways. COPD encompasses debilitating conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis that damage the lung tissues and cause difficulty breathing.

While traditional treatments focus on managing symptoms by slowing disease progression, the damage to the lungs is irreversible, and it can recur in the future, limiting the patient’s ability to do simple daily tasks. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, chronic cough with phlegm, breathing problems, tiredness, wheezing, pressure in the chest, frequent respiratory infections, and fatigue.

Cigarette smoking is the prime cause of COPD, as 70% of COPD cases in high-income countries are due to excessive smoking. Other than this, long-term exposure to toxic pollutants like chemical fumes, air irritants, and specks of dust also contribute to the development of COPD in patients.

Read Also: Stem Cell Basics: What They Are And How Do They Work

The Emergence of Stem Cell Therapy For COPD Management

Preclinical studies and research suggest that stem cell therapy can alleviate the symptoms and manage COPD. Mesenchymal stem cells’ anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties can help repair inflamed lung tissues and restore lung function. Further, their regenerative capabilities can self-renew and regrow healthy tissue to interact with the host environment, accelerating the healing response.

Stem cells are undifferentiated immature cells found in the human body that have the power to develop and multiply into any cell type. Clinics use these cells to prepare stem cell injections to treat various health conditions, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), to cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and orthopedic injuries. In the context of COPD, the stem cells administered into the patient’s body differentiate into lung-specific cells, such as alveolar and bronchial cells, to promote tissue regeneration.

How Mesenchymal Stem Cells Address Tissue Repair and Regeneration

Stem cells exert their therapeutic effects in COPD management through different mechanisms, from paracrine signaling to immunomodulation and anti-inflammation to tissue regeneration. This multifaceted approach to treating respiratory diseases eliminates the pathological processes and promotes lung repair.

• Paracrine Signaling – The newly infused stem cells release signaling molecules and bioactive factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles. These paracrine factors affect the surrounding cells in the damaged tissue and promote regenerative processes.
• Immunomodulation – MSCs have immunomodulatory properties that suppress the excessive growth and activation of immune cells that contribute to lung inflammation. The stem cells play a vital role in shifting the immune response from pro-inflammatory immune cells to anti-inflammatory agents, promoting the proliferation of regulatory T cells (White blood cells that control immune response).
• Anti-inflammatory effects – Stem cells directly secrete anti-inflammatory molecules such as TGF – β and IL – 10 to counteract the inflammation and suppress the activity of immune cells and inflammatory mediators.
• Tissue regeneration – The stem cells differentiate into lung cell types, such as endothelial, epithelial, bronchial, and alveolar cells, which replace or repair the diseased cells and contribute to tissue regeneration for functional recovery.

In summary, stem cells’ therapeutic effects directly dampen inflammation of lung tissues, prevent further damage, and simultaneously create a favorable host environment for healthy and faster tissue repair and regeneration. Once they reach the damaged area in the lungs, they trigger cell-to-cell interaction with the neighboring cells and the extracellular matrix to activate the secretion of paracrine factors.

Scientists believe this multifaceted mechanism of stem cells is effective in cell proliferation and differentiation, modulating immune system behavior, and stimulating angiogenesis. However, more research and knowledge are necessary to understand the dynamic connection between stem cells and the host environment in lung tissue repair and regeneration.

Improvements Observed in Patients After Stem Cell Therapy

The patients receiving stem cells for COPD have reported significant improvements in their symptoms and enhanced quality of life. They have experienced reduced difficulty in breathing, improved lung capacity, and relieved symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath. Stem cell therapy for COPD suppresses inflammation in the lung tissues, improves permeability, and reduces oxidative stress. Patients also experience a regain in their exercising ability, increased strength in muscles and bones, better weight control, and decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Future Perspectives Stem Cells in COPD Treatment

Continued research and clinical trials on stem cells for COPD management pave the way for more advanced therapies, addressing all the significant challenges and optimizing their effectiveness. The future of stem cells holds great promise, and ongoing exploration of its advancements is expected to shape the future of COPD treatment.

One of the emerging trends in the field is advanced cell engineering, which boosts the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells. Researchers aim to modify stem cell properties through gene editing and manipulation and optimize their regenerative capabilities, tailoring them to the precise needs of COPD patients and reprogramming stem cells to make them patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells, offering the possibility of personalized stem cell treatments.

Read Also: Stem Cell Treatment: Recent Advancements And New Applications

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system. In MS patients, the immune system becomes hyperactive and mistakenly starts attacking the protective covering of the nerves, called the myelin sheath. The nerve damage and inflammation disrupt the transmission of signals between the brain and body, resulting in an inability to carry out simple, day-to-day activities.

Some of the most visible symptoms of MS that affect a patient’s quality of life are:

• Difficulty in walking, balancing, and coordination
• Poor vision, blurred or loss of vision, color distortion
• Muscle stiffness, spasms, and weakness
• Numbness or loss of sensation in legs and arms
• Frequent tremors or shaking
• Difficulty in speaking, eating, and swallowing
• Problems in bladder and bowel movements
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Problems in sexual activities and function

Stem Cell Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from human umbilical cord tissue (Wharton’s Jelly) prevent nerve degeneration and inflammation and simultaneously promote the healing of damaged nerves. These stem cells exhibit exceptional immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, which help regulate the over-responsive immune system and prevent further degradation.

Recent advancements in stem cell research have made doctors and scientists hopeful that stem cell therapy could be a potential treatment for chronic neurological disorders, including Multiple Sclerosis. The self-renewing and pluripotent characteristics of MSCs of human umbilical cord tissue make them suitable for cell-based therapy in the brain. These cells migrate to the inflamed nerves in the central nervous system to repair them and halt the symptoms’ progression.

Read Also: Healing Power Of Stem Cell Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide

How do Stem Cells Regrow Myelin and Stabilize MS Progression?

Stem cell treatment for Multiple Sclerosis, specifically the infusion of mesenchymal stem cells, has shown remarkable potential in preventing myelin degradation. Besides repairing nerve damage in the myelin sheath and halting its degeneration, the newly induced MSCs into the central nervous system promote remyelination.

Remyelination is the creation of new myelin sheaths on the demyelinated axons in the central nervous system. It is achieved by propagating oligodendrocyte precursor cells to turn them into myelinating cells called oligodendrocytes. Stem cells supply the cytokines and growth factors necessary for oligodendrocyte cell differentiation and function.

Mesenchymal stem cells differentiate and multiply into neural stem cells upon reaching the target areas, which helps in oligodendrocyte cell production and remyelination.

Primary Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for MS

There is growing evidence in clinical trials and studies that stem cell treatment for MS can significantly improve the patient’s condition with its positive effects. Some notable benefits of stem cells in MS treatment include:

• MSCs have immunomodulatory properties that help suppress the function and activities of autoreactive T cells, which is the origin of MS development.
• Stem cell therapy prevents the nerves from damage, reduces inflammation, and protects neurons from immune system attacks.
• Mesenchymal stem cells repair the damaged myelin sheath and promote remyelination through cell regeneration.
• Stem cell administration is minimally invasive but requires a longer recovery period.
•  Patients can resume normal activities within one or two days of receiving stem cells.
• Stem cell treatment for MS has a significant reduction in the debilitating symptoms of this neurodegenerative condition with overall stabilization.

Success Rate of Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis

Preliminary efficacy data and patient-reported data on treating MS using stem cells indicate promising results with a high success rate. 85% of the patients in a clinical trial have reported sustained positive improvements in their condition, including reductions in MS symptoms and neuroinflammation. Although the treatment is considered safe and effective, more research is needed to confirm its efficacy in MS.

The average signs of improvement observed in most patients are improvements in balance, coordination, muscle strength, memory, and vision. Patients also significantly increase their stamina and energy levels, enhancing their physical and sexual activities.

Cost Of Stem Cell Therapy For Multiple Sclerosis

Usually, stem cell therapies are personalized by the clinics based on the individual body’s needs, so the price differs from patient to patient. Also, the cost of stem cell therapy for MS usually varies by the location of the treatment center.

The key determining factors of stem cell therapy cost are the patient’s current condition, the severity of the disease, pre-therapy investigations, the number of stem cell doses required, etc.

Best Stem Cell Treatment Center for MS

Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute is a reputed stem cell therapy facility in Mexico. It is best known for its advanced technologies, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and compassionate medical team.

If you seek affordable stem cell therapy in Mexico, look no further than this institute. Contact their experts to discuss your health concerns and get the best care.

What is Gene Therapy and its types?

Gene therapy is an advanced medical treatment that modifies or replaces defective genes with normal genes to treat genetic disorders and prevent them from affecting quality of life. Genes are carriers of information that tell cells to do things, facilitating normal functioning in the human body. Defective genes can not perform this task and make you sick. In such a situation, gene therapy can help. It works by substituting a disease-carrying gene with a healthy gene or deactivating that defective gene.

Gene therapy is an experimental technique that was first successfully done in 1989. It is generally of two types.

• Somatic Gene Therapy – This therapy involves the human body’s somatic cells or stem cells. It is considered the safest and most reliable technique of gene therapy. In this therapy, damaged cells carrying defective genes are replaced with healthy stem cells containing therapeutic genes.
• Germline Gene Therapy – Germline gene therapy inserts healthy DNA into the reproductive cells, i.e., sperm or eggs, to correct the genetic variants. This therapy prevents the disease-causing genes from passing from parents to children and their future generations by altering the genetic material of reproductive cells.

What is stem cell therapy, and what are its types?

Stem cell therapy is a regenerative medicine approach used to treat various diseases. Healthy stem cells are infused into the patient’s body to replace the dysfunctional tissues and promote the healing response of the damaged tissues. Stem cells can differentiate and multiply into specific types of cells for various functions, such as nerve, blood, skin, bone, heart, or muscle cells. These specialized cells are delivered to the injured site to accelerate repair response.

There are four types of stem cells based on the source of collection:

• Adult stem cells – Found in adult humans in specific tissues, such as bone marrow, adipose (fat) tissues, or human umbilical cord tissue.
• Embryonic stem cells – Pluripotent stem cells collected from the inner cell mass of human embryos called blastocysts in their early stages (3-5 days old).
• Induced pluripotent stem cells – Adult stem cells reprogrammed to exhibit properties of pluripotent cells, capable of becoming any cell type.

Read Also: Healing Power Of Stem Cell Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide

Differences between Stem cell therapy and Gene Therapy

At its core, the prime point of difference between gene therapy and stem cell therapy is the mode of attack. The former goes a level deeper in terms of complexity. The primary areas of comparison between the two therapies include:

• Approach – While gene therapy involves transferring genetic materials into the target cells to alter cell functions or correct disease-carrying mutations, cell therapy aims to introduce functional cells into the diseased tissues to replace or repair them.
• Therapeutic factors or agents – Stem cell therapy uses live human cells as its agents. In contrast, gene therapy uses genetic materials, such as DNA or RNA, as therapeutic agents.
• Delivery Method – In stem cell therapy, new healthy stem cells are infused intravenously into the bloodstream to activate the healing process in the affected tissues. Genetic materials are transferred directly to the host cells through complicated techniques, such as viral vectors or repetitive DNA sequences (CRISPR).
• Target Diseases – Stem cell therapy is usually effective in treating age-related problems, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular issues, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and stroke recovery. Gene therapy primarily treats genetic or inherited disorders like sickle cell disease, hemophilia, thalassemia, etc.
• Timeline of benefits – Although both therapies aim to provide long-term and sustainable results, stem cells can offer short-term benefits such as recovery from pain and inflammation in orthopedic injuries.

The Future of Gene and Stem Cell Therapy

Now the question comes: where are cell and gene therapy headed next? Technological advancements will make these treatment approaches personalized and effective, catering to each patient’s unique needs.

Innovations in biotechnology will drive the progress of cell-based therapies in the future, optimizing treatment and stem cell delivery methods. The stem cell field is poised for rapid growth because it is widely adopted for treating a range of medical conditions, from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease to lung and heart diseases.

Gene therapy, on the other hand, has shown tremendous potential to treat intractable diseases. A new era of personalized gene therapy will emerge as more focus is given to genetic engineering or gene editing technologies, driving innovation and success of medical treatments.

What are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are the body’s raw materials that help create other cells to form tissues and organs for specialized functions. These are essential undifferentiated cells that can develop into different cell types in the body through self-renewal. They self-replicate to produce “daughter cells,” which can form other specialized cells, such as blood, skin, nerve, bone, or cardiac cells.

The function of stem cells is not limited to cell proliferation and differentiation; they also aid in tissue repair and regeneration to restore normal functioning.

Changes in Cellular Function With Age

Regarding skin, stem cells are vital in keeping our skin young and rejuvenated. Scientists estimate that humans lose around thirty to forty thousand skin cells every minute. But at the same time, skin cells replicate much faster than other cells, say nerve or bone cells.

Like your age, the cells in your body also age, and the skin cells gradually lose their capability to self-replicate, resulting in loss of skin elasticity and resistance, wrinkles, and age spots. Mesenchymal stem cells are essential regulators and growth factors that help the body’s various organs to function correctly. Aging leads to lower production of stem cells naturally, and reduced capability to self-renew, repair, or substitute aging cells. Consequently, stem cells’ healing and recovery power in older adults decreases.

Effects of Stem Cells on Anti-aging

Advanced stem cell treatments using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) collected from human umbilical cord tissue effectively slow down aging progression. New stem cells entering the body help overcome age-induced illness and signs like wrinkles, joint degeneration, poor stamina, loss of muscle strength, and reduced metabolic efficiency.

Stem cell therapy for anti-aging replenishes the supply of fresh and healthy stem cells. The new cells allow the body to repair and rejuvenate damaged tissues and organs, preventing further cellular damage. Their unique factors facilitate the regeneration of cellular tissues such as skin, brain, heart, and joints. MSC therapy repairs tissues damaged in the process of aging due to stress, injury, malnutrition, etc.

How Does Stem Cell Therapy Rejuvenate Existing Cell Types?

In anti-aging treatment, stem cells are administered into the patient’s body to increase the stem cell reserve and activate self-renewing cell cycles in the tissues and organs. The newly introduced stem cells also activate the inactive existing cell types, enhancing the functionality of internal organs, strengthening immunity, and increasing energy levels.

Stem cells have the potential to rejuvenate the existing cells from the inside. Mesenchymal stem cells are a rich source of fibroblasts that aid in repairing skin blemishes, wrinkles, expression lines, inflammation in skin lesions, etc. Regenerative stem cells promote the production of elastic fibers and collagen and stimulate healing, giving patients a visibly youthful appearance.

The therapeutic potential of stem cells helps elderly individuals combat the effects of aging by rejuvenating the body at the basic cellular level. Stem cells’ anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative properties significantly delay aging and enhance quality of life.

Mechanism of Stem Cells In Delaying Aging

Stem cell therapy introduces new “youthful” stem cells into the body to slow down aging. Over time, our body’s cells change, get damaged, and eventually die. This cycle of cell death leads to inflammation and poor functioning of various tissues and organs, decreasing lifespan.

Stem cell interventions can delay aging and help the body recover faster from age-related diseases, ultimately extending the human lifespan. The new cells enhance the body’s repair mechanisms, maintain healthy stem cell reserve, and delay the onset of aging symptoms. Further, stem cells protect against oxidative stress and prevent cellular damage, which is critical in aging.

Results of Stem Cell Treatment for Anti-aging Treatment

Findings from numerous clinical studies demonstrate that stem cell therapy effectively shows true rejuvenation externally and internally. According to reports of patients who have undergone stem cell treatment, the majority of them have experienced pronounced improvements, including:

• Reduction of wrinkles and fine lines, and skin becomes tighter and firmer.
• Increased strength and energy levels, with a feeling of vitality.
• Improved body capacity in muscle and bone strength, balance, and mobility.
• Thickening of hair and enhanced hair growth.
• Reduction in inflammation and pain in joints, back, neck, etc.
• Improved immunity and functioning of the internal organs.
• Stabilization of hormone levels and blood pressure.
• Increased libido and reproductive roles.
• Enhanced memory and reasoning capacity.
• Improvement in vision.

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a systemic medication procedure for treating cancer. In simple terms, chemotherapy is the use of powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells and prevent them from growing, multiplying, and forming tumors or spreading to other parts of the body.

Several types of chemotherapy are drugs available, and they can be administered alone or in combination with other cancer treatments to treat a wide range of cancers. Chemotherapy drugs kill present cancer cells and prevent further cancer cell growth by destroying hidden cancerous cells.

What is stem cell therapy?

Stem cell therapy in cancer treatment is a therapeutic approach to restoring hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), also known as blood-forming cells in cancer patients. HSCs grow into three main types of blood cells for the body’s normal functioning.

• Red Blood Cells (RBCs) – RBCs carry oxygen from the lungs to deliver it throughout the body and transport carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
• White Blood Cells (WBCs) – WBCs build up our immune system and help fight various infections.
• Platelets – Also known as thrombocytes, platelets form blood clots and prevent bleeding.

Cellular therapies treat blood-related cancers, such as leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndromes. Over the past few decades, leading discoveries about stem cells and their unique biological properties have provided new, promising approaches to treating cancer.

 How does stem cell treatment work against cancer?

Interestingly, stem cell therapies do not work directly against cancer cells. Instead, they help restore the body’s innate ability to reproduce healthy blood-forming cells after high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells. However, in some instances of leukemia, stem cells may attack the cancer cells directly, killing them and preventing further growth.

Mesenchymal stem cells isolated from human umbilical cord tissue are unspecialized cells that can eventually develop any cell. They replenish cells in the damaged organs or tissues through healthy cell regeneration. Their remarkable ability to become blood-forming cells and replace diseased cells makes them ideal candidates for cancer treatment.

Stem cells play a vital role in post-cancer recovery for various blood cancers because of their power to regenerate. They help cancer survivors lead healthy lives without the prolonged effects of traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy. Intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells naturally migrates toward the damaged cancer cells, ultimately activating the healing process to repair or replace them.

Challenges in chemotherapy for cancer treatment

Chemotherapy as a standard cancer treatment comes with lots of challenges, causing severe damage during the time of treatment and in the future years.

• Standard chemotherapy drugs often fail to differentiate between normal cells and rapidly growing cancer cells, leading to extreme damage to healthy cells and making the body challenging to recover.
• Chemotherapy doesn’t provide lasting results and can cause a recurrence of cancer later on in life.
• Chemotherapy can cause side effects, such as hair loss, weak immunity, nausea, fatigue, and vomiting.
• Chemotherapy can bring irreversible damage to vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and nerves, impacting the overall quality of a patient’s life.

Potential side effects of stem cell therapy

Unlike chemotherapy, medical research and clinical studies demonstrate stem cell treatments to be safe with no significant side effects. It is pretty effective for cancer treatment as well as recovering from the harmful side effects post-chemotherapy.

However, patients undergoing stem cell therapy might experience mild side effects during or right after the intravenous administration process. These effects are short-term and go away within one to two days. The possible short-term side effects of stem cell treatment are fever, nausea, loss of appetite, mouth sores, allergies, etc.

Where to go for stem cell therapy for cancer treatment?

When you go for mesenchymal stem cell therapy for cancer treatment, you must visit a specialized center to ensure safety, reliability, and transparency in the treatment procedure. Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute is a well-established and reputed clinic for stem cell therapy in Mexico, known for its world-class treatment facilities and experienced medical professionals. They offer personalized treatment solutions for more than twenty-two medical conditions, cancer being one of them. Schedule your consultation for free to discuss your health concerns and get a customized treatment plan.

Why does knee cartilage get damaged?

Knee osteoarthritis damages the cartilage covering the bone ends. Living with Osteoarthritis is painful and difficult as the cartilage deteriorates and the bones start rubbing against each other, resulting in consistent pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

Patients with knee osteoarthritis cannot walk, bend, or sit appropriately as the knee joints lose mobility and function. Total knee replacement is a recommended treatment option for severe symptoms. However, the introduction of stem cell therapy has given millions of people new hope to avoid surgical procedures and get sustainable cartilage repair solutions.

What is stem cell treatment?

Stem cells are immature and undifferentiated cells that the body constantly manufactures in the bone marrow and other specific tissues, such as fatty or human umbilical cord tissue. These primary and unspecialized cells can form and multiply into any cell type to repair the damaged areas.

There is growing evidence that stem cell treatment functions by activating the healing mechanism of the newly-introduced cells, often termed “regenerative” medicine therapy.

Stem Cell Injections For Knee Cartilage Repair

The cartilage is the cushion-like covering surrounding the ends of the bones, allowing the bones to glide smoothly against each other without any friction or corrosion. When this cartilage wears and tears away, the bone ends collide against each other, leading to increased friction. Stem cell therapy for knee pain due to Osteoarthritis has shown promising results in reducing pain and inflammation, preventing further damage to the cartilage.

Stem cells are directly injected into the affected knee to prevent deterioration of the tissues in the cartilage. Cellular therapy utilizes the regenerative potential to regrow healthy and repair damaged tissues. With time, patients can expect joint function and mobility improvement, reducing pain and inflammation. Furthermore, it prevents the need for invasive, complicated, and expensive knee replacement surgery.

Is stem cell therapy for knee pain effective?

Several clinical investigations and studies demonstrate that stem cell therapy effectively manages knee pain and arthritis symptoms.  While overall results look promising, more research is ongoing to discover stem cells’ more therapeutic potential.

The timeline for positive therapy outcomes may vary from patient to patient, depending on the patient’s condition and the severity of the knee damage. The results are lasting because stem cells aid in the slow repair of the damaged tissues and healthy cartilage regeneration to prevent the progression of Osteoarthritis.

Success Rates For Stem Cell Therapy

A study on 54 patients for stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis using human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells showed significant improvements in functionality while reducing pain. The results of stem cell administration in damaged knees with arthritis are optimal, and the cells utilize the natural healing capacity to prevent further cartilage deterioration.

The study also indicates that stem cells halt the progression of cartilage defects through healthy cartilage regeneration, improving joint flexibility and function. Patients can expect long-term outcomes with a significant reduction in knee pain and inflammation.

Critical Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy For Knee Osteoarthritis

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy using human umbilical cord tissue exhibits several advantages over traditional treatments like pain medications or knee replacement surgery in repairing damaged knee cartilage.

• Ease of isolation – Stem cells originating in the umbilical cord tissue or Wharton’s Jelly can be easily isolated and collected after healthy births. Hence, MSCs need not be obtained from the patient’s own bone marrow or subcutaneous adipose tissue.
• Multipotent differentiation potential – Mesenchymal stem cells have the power to differentiate into any cell type, including cartilage, bone, nerve, skin, or blood cells, making them valuable assets for treatment.
• High immunomodulatory properties – Mesenchymal stem cells regulate the immune system and lower inflammation and pain in the affected knees.
• Less invasive process – Stem cell injections for knee pain are minimally invasive and are completed in one or two hours.
• Quick recovery period – Unlike knee replacement surgeries, patients who receive stem cells recover quickly, restoring joint function and mobility.

Read Also: Can Stem Cell Therapy Delay Aging and Make You Look Younger?

Where to get stem cell therapy for knee cartilage repair?

Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute is a renowned stem cell therapy institute in Mexico. It is known for its top-notch quality of treatment and care for a wide range of medical conditions, including knee cartilage repair. Our highly advanced treatment facility and experienced team of stem cell specialists ensure that every patient has a safe stem cell therapy experience without complications.

What is Lung Disease or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of lung disorders that inhibit the lung’s functional abilities, resulting in shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue. COPD damages the airways or other specific regions in the lungs, blocking airflow and causing difficulty breathing.

In people with COPD, the lungs get clogged and damaged due to increased mucus formation in the airways and inflammation in the bronchi walls. Experts believe excessive smoking and long-term exposure to pollutants and airborne irritants are two primary reasons for COPD.

Role of Stem Cell Therapy for Lung Diseases

Lung disease, or COPD, is a prevalent health issue with a rapid rise in cases in the post-pandemic era. Currently, there is no definitive cure for lung diseases; however, with healthy habits like quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and maintaining a proper diet, one can manage the symptoms of COPD.

Multiple studies on stem cells have recently demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing lung inflammation and improving its functional capacity to breathe air in and out. Stem cell administration in the infected lung prevents further damage to lung cells and promotes the growth of healthy cells to replace the damaged cells.

Where do stem cells for lung treatment come from?

The adult human body is a rich source of stem cells as they exist in various organs and tissues such as bone marrow, adipose or fat tissue, liver, skin, and even teeth. Apart from adult stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the human umbilical cord tissue are another great source of pluripotent stem cells.

Clinicians are studying stem cells’ therapeutic potential in treating COPD, primarily focusing on human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCT-MSCs) because of their abundance of supply and ease of collection.

HUCT-MSCs are ideal for stem cell therapy for COPD because these are pluripotent cells, meaning they can turn into any cell type and regrow cells to heal the diseased area. They can transform into lung, heart, nerve, blood, bone, skin, and cartilage cells.

Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for COPD

The path for choosing cell-based therapy has become more desirable for patients with COPD and other chronic lung diseases because existing treatment protocols are expensive and complicated, such as lung transplant or ventilation.

On the contrary, stem cell treatment is a less invasive and cost-effective solution, making it a preferable alternative for patients. The therapeutic benefits that cellular therapies for lung diseases offer are discussed below:

• Reduces inflammation – The stem cells are rich in anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce the inflamed bronchi walls and clear the airways for breathing.
• Immune system regulation – HUCT-MSCs heal damaged lung tissues by modulating immune responses and preparing a healthy environment for tissue repair and regeneration.
• Promotes angiogenesis – The new stem cells that enter your body through the therapy promote the growth of new blood vessels, which better transport oxygen to and from the lungs to the circulatory system.
• Improves breathing – Stem cells differentiate into lung cells and multiply to develop connective tissues and membranes forming the air sac lining. Healthy air sacs support healthy breathing by efficiently circulating oxygen and removing carbon dioxide while breathing out.

Besides, stem cell therapies aim to provide long-lasting outcomes, and patients can see a sooner reduction in their primary symptoms, such as lung inflammation and shortness of breath. However, the body can take three to six months to achieve peak improvement post-therapy.

Cautions on Stem Cell Therapy for Lung Disease

Despite the promising potential of regenerative medicine for lung diseases, several risks still exist. Firstly, in cases where stem cells are collected from a patient’s body, it carries a risk of reintroducing diseased or damaged cells. Secondly, if cells are taken from a donor, there is no guarantee that the patient’s body will accept the cells. There is always a chance of cell rejection. The donor must undergo several blood examinations and HLA matching to ensure genetic compatibility. Still, no 100% matching is guaranteed.

The best way to avoid such risks is to get stem cell therapy from centers that utilize human umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells. These cells are isolated from the cord blood following healthy births and have high proliferation capabilities and differentiation potential.

Current Status and Future of Stem Cells for Lung Diseases

Several research studies examine stem cell treatments for lung problems and chronic disorders. Among the multiple areas of studies, the most promising topic focuses on the efficacy of stem cells in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis.

In COPD, stem cell therapy using umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells is safe and reliable. It improves lung function, reduces inflammation, and slows disease progression. Studies have also found that cell-based therapy enhances the quality of life for COPD patients.

Various clinical research is studying new ways to understand how lungs work and how to treat lung diseases. Scientists are especially interested in cells called endothelial progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem cells. They’re testing these cells in clinical trials for conditions like pulmonary hypertension and COPD, and they’re planning more studies to learn even more.