Regenerative Medicine for COPD

Those afflicted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) struggle with persistent respiratory concerns stemming from airflow blockage and lung inflammation. Here we will discuss regenerative Medicine for COPD.

The conditions that contribute to COPD, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, can cause excess mucus production, frequent coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

While treatments including lifestyle changes, medication, therapies, and bronchodilators can slow the disease’s progression and reduce the intensity of its symptoms, there’s no cure for the damage that COPD inflicts on the lungs. 

What Is Regenerative Medicine?

While traditional medicine often focuses on alleviating pain and controlling disease and injury symptoms, regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, focuses on each condition’s root cause.

Regenerative therapies aim to repair and restore damaged or lost tissue, typically by harnessing the body’s natural healing response.

Which Regenerative Medicine Treatments Can Benefit COPD Patients?

COPD causes less air to flow into the airways due to the following changes:

• The lungs’ airways and air sacs lose their elasticity
• The walls of the air sacs in the lungs are destroyed
• Airway walls become thick, irritated, swollen, and inflamed
• Mucus production increases, clogging the airways and reducing airflow

Regenerative treatments are designed to reverse these changes and restore lung health. The most studied and effective regenerative medicine methodologies for COPD are stem cell therapy and exosome therapy. 

Stem Cell Treatments for COPD

Stem cell therapy extracts dormant stem cells from bone marrow or adipose tissue and reintroduces those cells into damaged areas that need repair and restoration. 

Since stem cells are the body’s only cells capable of differentiating into specialized cells, like brain or lung cells, they offer a versatile option to heal and replace diseased or damaged tissue.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation properties that can reduce airway obstruction. At the same time, they work to repair and replace the alveolar epithelial cells, which exchange the gases and air in the lungs. Damaged alveolar cells diminish the resiliency of the lungs’ air sacs and airways.

Exosome Therapy for COPD

Exosomes are tiny, membrane-wrapped sacs released by healthy cells. They share and transfer information with other cells in the body. Early studies show that exosomes derived from stem cells help heal tissue. 

In preclinical studies, MSC-derived exosomes reduced inflammation, improved breathing challenges, increased stamina, and enhanced oxygen circulation. Exosome therapy can potentially improve COPD and other pulmonary conditions, including acute respiratory lung distress and post-COVID complications.

Regenerative medicine treatments can open the door to restoring the health of patients with COPD and other lung conditions. As new research continues to show the healing benefits of these treatments, many patients are already experiencing improved health. Contact us today to learn more about Regenerative Medicine for COPD!