Stem Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Hepatitis: A Revolutionary Cure
Nearly 10 out of 100,000 children are at risk of developing autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The disease affects the liver’s functions and decreases the patient’s lifespan considerably.
The number of patients suffering from autoimmune diseases is undetected. However, an estimation is made that nearly 200,000 Americans are annually affected by this condition.
The mortality rate for autoimmune hepatitis is high and 50 percent of patients with severe AIH can pass away between 6 months to 5 years after developing the disease.
AIH affects more females than males. Furthermore, up to 45 out of 100,000 adults can also develop autoimmune hepatitis.
The liver of the patient is severely affected by this type of disease.
Nevertheless, novel stem cell therapy brings hope for curing autoimmune hepatitis. Children and adults can be effectively treated with this holistic therapy.
In this blog, we will explore the risks related to AIH and the potential benefits of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in healing patients from the deadly effects of the disease.
What are Autoimmune Diseases?
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells and organs. More than 100 types of autoimmune diseases exist. Such diseases can harm any part of the body.
Skin problems, joint pain, fever, and abdominal problems are some of the common symptoms of varied autoimmune disorders. The failing immune system loses its ability to protect the body against internal and external dangers such as viruses or inflammation. Naturally, the body becomes weak and susceptible to several diseases.
A person with a family history of such diseases is prone to developing a similar condition. Furthermore, the age group of 15-44-year-old females has a higher risk of suffering from autoimmune disorders. Obesity, smoking, and environmental factors such as exposure to toxins and chemicals increase the possibility of these diseases.
Types of Autoimmune Diseases
Common autoimmune diseases are –
- Psoriasis – Dead cells are accumulated on the epidermal layer of the skin. It forms scaly and red patches on the site of the disease. This is a skin problem that causes rashes and itchiness. Additionally, it can trigger anxiety and impact the confidence of the individual.
- Lupus – A type of disease in which the immune system of the body attacks the healthy tissues. It can affect the heart, lungs, joints, brain, kidneys, and skin.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – A chronic joint inflammation disorder leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints. The disease can destroy the healthy joint tissues and cells.
- Crohn’s Disease – A bowel disorder that affects the digestive tract of the patient and limits their digestive abilities. Inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract is the primary reason for this type of disease.
- Multiple Sclerosis – The myelin sheath covering the central nervous system is depleted due to the activities of the immune system. The nerve endings are left uncovered in this disease leading to a wide range of disabilities.
Overview of Autoimmune Hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis is an immunity-related disease that damages the liver. The immune system starts to attack the liver and causes tissue scarring, pain, and swelling. The functions of the organ are completely destroyed.
Untreated autoimmune hepatitis can lead to liver cirrhosis. The function of the immune system is to protect the body from infiltrating bacterial or viral infections. However, in this type of disease, the immune system severely damages the liver cells.
The levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, immunoglobulins, anti-liver kidney microsomal type 1, and smooth muscle antibodies are detected in the serum of autoimmune hepatitis patients.
Cytotoxic T cells are autoantibodies that enhance the hepatic damage to autoimmune hepatitis patients. A liver transplant may be the only treatment option in this last stage of the disease.
Types of Autoimmune Hepatitis
There are 2 notable types of autoimmune hepatitis. These are –
- Type 1 – This disease affects anybody regardless of their age. It is caused due to the presence of anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA) in the blood. Pain in the belly, jaundice, and loss of appetite are symptoms of type 1 autoimmune hepatitis. Most people suffering from this disease are also affected by other types of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.
- Type 2 – This is a rare form of AIH that mostly affects children due to the presence of hepatitis B, C, or D virus. Accumulation of fluid in the belly, dark urine, and rectal bleeding are common symptoms of type 2 autoimmune hepatitis.
Females, people with a genetic history of hepatitis, and patients with other types of autoimmune diseases have higher risks of developing autoimmune hepatitis.
Diagnosis
A single test is not enough to confirm the presence of autoimmune hepatitis. More than 1 blood tests and imaging tests are essential to detect AIH. Diagnosis methods include –
- Liver Biopsy – A tissue from the liver is extracted through medical equipment to detect the signs of autoimmune hepatitis.
- Blood Tests – Serum bilirubin and albumin are essential liver function tests to detect and confirm AIH.
- Imaging Tests – Tests such as ultrasound, MRIs, and CT scans help detect enlarged perihepatic lymph nodes which is one of the symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis.
- Endoscopy – A medical device is inserted within the body to check for swollen veins in the stomach or food pipe to confirm the presence of AIH.
Causes
The liver and immune system’s inability to perform its natural functions leads to AIH. However, broader causes of the disease include –
- Genetical factors – Genetic components such as non-HLA epitopes, vitamin D receptors, and CTLA-4 contribute to the development of AIH. If there is a family history of autoimmune hepatitis, patients are more likely to develop such a condition over their lifetime.
- External factors – Viruses and environmental factors such as pollutants, chemicals, and toxins can inhibit the function of the liver and damage the tissues and cells.
- Failure of the immune system – A patient’s immune system fails to protect the liver from infections and diseases and attacks the liver cells instead. The liver is significantly damaged.
- Autoimmune disorders – Hyperthyroidism, ulcerative colitis, and type 1 diabetes are some autoimmune diseases that increase the risk of autoimmune hepatitis.
- Hypergammaglobulinemia – The presence of excessive protein antibodies in the blood causes chronic infections that promote this rare type of blood disorder.
Symptoms
Some people exhibit few symptoms while other patients can highlight a variety of symptoms. However, here are some of the factors to determine if the patient is affected by type 1 or 2 autoimmune hepatitis –
- Discomfort in the belly
- Fatigue and energy loss
- Liver and spleen enlargement
- Pain in the joints
- Missed out menstrual cycles in females
- Disformed blood vessels
- Itchy feeling on the skin
- Nauseating feeling
- Digestion and bowel problems
- Fever
These symptoms may not be evident enough to confirm the presence of autoimmune hepatitis. Therefore, additional blood or imaging tests are necessary to detect AIH.
Complications
Autoimmune hepatitis can lead to liver cirrhosis that causes scarring of the liver tissues. Additional complications due to this disease are –
- The veins in the esophagus are enlarged. Due to this, the blood circulation to the liver is disrupted. Sometimes, the blood enters smaller veins that can rupture easily when they cannot take the pressure. This causes internal bleeding.
- Accumulation of ascites, a distinct fluid in the abdomen that hinders the normal breathing abilities of a person.
- Damaged liver tissues and cells lead to failure of the liver. A transplant surgery may be necessary in such an instance.
- Patients who have liver cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis are prone to developing life-threatening prostate cancer.
Read Also: Stem Cell Treatment for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Patients
Role of Stem Cells in Autoimmune Hepatitis Treatment
Multipotent MSCs are derived from human umbilical cord tissues (Wharton’s Jelly). Mesenchymal stem cells can multiply into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. The self-healing properties of MSCs regulate the behavior of the different immune cells. In this instance, it is used to reverse the effects of the immune system on the liver.
The inhibition of lymphocytes and its effects is an MSC feature that prevents the onset of liver damage. It helps to improve the tolerance of the immune system.
Additionally, these cells promote the proliferation of tolerogenic T regulatory cells. The T cells are essential to improve the self-tolerance of the peripherals.
MSCs activate the immunosuppressive activities in the inflamed cells and tissues. The ability of mesenchymal stem cells to communicate with macrophages, natural killer cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and mast cells promotes the immune system’s tolerance. Stem cell therapy can prevent autoimmune diseases in the future.
Tissue regeneration is an invaluable property of MSCs that makes it a popular treatment choice for patients.
Research on stem cell therapy for autoimmune hepatitis highlights therapeutic effects.
Furthermore, stem cell treatment for autoimmune hepatitis is a minimally invasive method compared to liver transplant surgeries. Patients are injected doses of stem cells in an intravenous (IV), intra-articular, and intramuscular methods.
MSCs can not only transform into other types of cells and tissues but also migrate to different areas of the body regardless of the administration site.
Benefits of Using Stem Cells to Cure Autoimmune Hepatitis
Here are some attractive results of stem cell therapy for autoimmune hepatitis patients –
- Reduces the rate of mortality
- Improves the functions of the liver
- Reforms liver tissues and cells
- Prevents the escalation of the disease that could lead to cirrhosis or cancer
- Prevents the immune system from attacking the liver
- Stops hepatocyte apoptosis
- Regulates the level of antioxidants
- Adopts anti-inflammatory phenotypes
The stage of the disease determines the treatment benefits. At an early stage, stem cell therapy is highly beneficial in stopping, reversing, and preventing autoimmune hepatitis from transforming into a more serious disease.
Read Also: Stem Cell Therapy vs. Surgery: How To Pick The Right Treatment?
Takeaway
If you are looking for a holistic and minimally invasive treatment that offers a long-term cure, stem cell therapy is the appropriate option.
The Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute in Mexico is a renowned clinic treating more than 20 conditions with MSCs.
A happy and healthy liver automatically improves the health condition of a patient. Do not let autoimmune hepatitis cause further complications in your life. Talk to our experts and address the diseases before they become life-threatening.
Fighting Autoimmune Diseases With Stem Cell Therapy
Treating autoimmune conditions has always been a challenge for healthcare professionals, with limited treatment options available to them. They always searched for a reliable and effective solution to stop the progression of autoimmune diseases. Fortunately, after years of extensive research and clinical trials, they now have a pathbreaking treatment avenue. All thanks to stem cells and regenerative medicine! The renewing and regenerative potential of stem cells has revolutionized the treatment approach to severe autoimmune diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and more.
Evidence from numerous studies on stem cells demonstrates their therapeutic effects in managing the symptoms of a wide range of autoimmune diseases. This article is a comprehensive guide to stem cell therapy for autoimmune diseases, the role and potential of stem cells, the treatment approach, and its benefits.
Without further delay, let’s start!
Understanding Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases are a group of immune-mediated disorders where the body’s immune system attacks the healthy tissues and cells instead of fighting against foreign germs and viruses. These abnormal immune system functions affect various organs or body parts, weakening bodily function and causing autoimmune disorders. In a normal human body, the immune system is the fighter that prevents foreign substances from entering cells or tissues by producing antibodies. In autoimmune patients, the immune system becomes an enemy, releasing auto-antibodies that attack normal and healthy cells, tissues, or organs.
There are over 100 known autoimmune conditions, some still unknown. The most common diseases affecting millions of individuals around the world are –
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – The immune system attacks joints, resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Multiple Sclerosis – Inflammation in the central nervous system’s protective covering (myelin sheath).
- Lupus – Inflammation in the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and other organs.
- Type 1 Diabetes – The immune system destroys the insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas.
- Psoriasis – Abnormal and rapid growth of skin cells, causing inflamed patches and scales.
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) – Inflammation of intestinal wall lining, affecting the gastrointestinal tract or large intestine.
Stem cell therapy has shown promising results in patients affected with these conditions by utilizing the regenerative potential of stem cells and reducing inflammation. Keep reading this article further to learn about stem cell therapy in detail.
Stem Cell Therapy – The Potential
By targeting the underlying root cause of the autoimmune conditions, stem cells offer long-term remission to patients whose bodies didn’t respond well to traditional treatment approaches. It holds a novel hope for the future of regenerative medicine, offering treatment possibilities for a series of autoimmune diseases. Stem cell specialists and health advocates worldwide believe mesenchymal stem cells, collected from the human umbilical cord tissue, have tremendous regenerative potential to repair and regenerate damaged tissues.
The potential applications of stem cells are to repair and reset the diseased immune system, stop the progression of the disease, and manage the symptoms. By modulating the abnormal immune response, stem cells offer possible improvements in the body’s functions and quality of life.
Patients at Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute, a leading stem cell center in Mexico, have shared their positive experiences with stem cell procedures in our state-of-the-art clinic facility. With holistic care and cutting-edge stem cell therapy technology, we provide a potential cure for autoimmune diseases.
Role of Stem Cells In Treating Autoimmune Diseases
With continuous research and advancements in the stem cell field, the therapeutic applications of stem cell therapy for autoimmune diseases are increasing. It shows remarkable results in managing the inflammatory conditions caused due to abnormal responses of the immune system. It is a groundbreaking approach to modulating the immune system and promoting the regeneration of damaged tissue and cells in affected organs.
Let’s discuss how our medical team in Mexico provides stem cell treatment for autoimmune diseases by utilizing the regenerative potential of human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs). The administered cells play a major role in alleviating the symptoms and relieving patients.
Autoimmune Conditions Stem Cell Therapy Can Treat
Stem cell therapy has shown vast potential to treat various autoimmune conditions, providing long-lasting solutions to patients. While it is highly effective in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Type 1 diabetes, Psoriasis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, research is ongoing to discover its potential in treating other autoimmune conditions.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Stem cell therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis has been shown to lower inflammation in the joints, reducing stiffness and pain. The therapeutic effects of HUCT-MSCs accelerate the natural healing of the damaged tissues in the joints.
The stem cells act on the inflamed tissues and harness their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties to regulate the immune response. The administration of stem cells increases the production of T-regulatory cells and reduces the production of pro-inflammatory agents or cytokines. Patients can expect long-term results with effective stem cell therapy at our Institute for stem cell therapy in Mexico.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Delivering stem cells to the myelin sheath of the central nervous system halts the immune system’s attack on normal cells. They promote tissue regeneration and prevent the pathological loss of myelin through remyelination (generation of new myelin sheaths around axons).
There have been major improvements in the body’s balancing capability, mobility, energy levels, and physical function of patients receiving stem cell therapy for Multiple Sclerosis in our Mexico’s regenerative medicine center. Overall, positive changes in health significantly enhanced their quality of life.
Lupus
Introducing stem cells to Lupus patients promotes healing through cell regeneration and tissue repair in the Lupus-impacted organs. The high differentiation capabilities of mesenchymal stem cells support the regulation of the immune system and improve the functioning of the kidney and heart.
The remission rate in Lupus patients receiving stem cell treatment is higher than those receiving standard treatments. As per the opinion of stem cell experts in our clinic in Mexico, the regenerative approach revolutionizes Lupus treatment, addressing the underlying cause of the disease.
Type 1 Diabetes
In Type 1 Diabetes, the immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin, leading to uncontrolled blood sugar levels in patients. Stem cell therapy offers a potential cure for this disease as it regenerates insulin-producing cells and regulates sugar levels.
Applying stem cells in Type 1 diabetic patients replaces the damaged pancreatic cells and utilizes their regenerative capabilities to renew healthy cells. Stem cell treatment provides long-lasting results, offering new rays of hope to patients.
Psoriasis
The abnormal growth of skin cells characterizes Psoriasis due to excessive release of inflammatory proteins called cytokines. Stem cell therapy for Psoriasis is a game-changing solution, capable of halting the progression of the lesions and plaque formation in the skin.
Regenerative medicine treatment for Psoriasis has shown high efficacy by preventing inflammation and scaling in the skin, providing relief to patients from this chronic condition. Their regenerative capabilities aid in producing healthy collagen tissues to replace the damaged skin cells, initialing natural skin healing.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Stem cell therapy offers potential treatment for Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, the two most common types of IBD. Stem cell administration reduces the dependence of Crohn’s patients on conventional medications. It reduces the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the severity of the symptoms.
Our affordable stem cell therapy in Mexico for IBD treatment has the long-term remission potential to improve gastrointestinal function, resulting in enhanced quality of life for IBD patients.
Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy aids in transformation from the debilitating symptoms of autoimmune conditions to wellness with its regenerative power and therapeutic effects. This revolutionary treatment option offers numerous advantages that evoke hope for millions suffering from autoimmune diseases.
- Stem cell therapy is a minimally invasive and painless procedure. It eliminates various risks associated with surgery or conventional treatments, making it a safer option for autoimmune patients.
- The recovery time is very short, and patients experience long-lasting results as stem cells target the root cause of the disease, promoting tissue repair and regeneration and managing prolonged symptoms.
- The cost of cell-based therapy at our clinic is economical, making us the most affordable stem cell therapy best hospital in Mexico.
- The treatment minimizes the need for long-term continuous medication and frequent hospital visits, lowering healthcare and medical expenses.
- Stem cell therapy has the potential to improve your well-being by helping you regain your body functionality and reducing dependence on others.
Advancements In Stem Cell Treatment
Stem cell therapy has enhanced treatment for various autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, Lupus, and more. However, their applications extend beyond these conditions, and recent advancements indicate a substantial leap forward in using stem cells as regenerative medicine.
With ongoing research and continued clinical trials, the future of stem cell treatment looks promising. Greater breakthroughs in this field are expected, which could transform and refine the treatment approaches to various diseases. Medical scientists are exploring the therapeutic potential of stem cells in treating orthopedic conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, aging effects, infertility issues, and many more.
Concluding Thoughts
With the differentiation and regeneration potential, stem cell therapy paves the way for an advanced era in autoimmune disease treatment. Stem cells reset the immune system and prevent self-immunological attacks on the body’s healthy cells, thus stopping the disease progression. Stem cell therapy is a groundbreaking approach to improving immune system function and helping patients with chronic autoimmune conditions restore normal health. Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute, a premier clinic for stem cell therapy in Mexico, follows personalized and innovative stem cell treatments for autoimmune diseases to help patients recover faster and lead healthier lives.