by admin | Jul 19, 2019 | Bone Marrow, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system that involves the demyelination of nerve cells. As nerve cells lose their myelination, it becomes harder for the cells to communicate with one another. Though there are a number of treatment options for multiple sclerosis, which usually involve immunosuppressants, the conventional treatments do not always work over the long-term and may be associated with unwanted side effects. Given the promising results of stem cells being used in treatments for other nervous system diseases, scientists have reasoned that stem cells could provide a valuable therapy for those with multiple sclerosis.
A recent study published in Cytotherapy has demonstrated for the first time the use of neural progenitors derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. According to the authors of the study, it has previously been recognized that these cells have the potential to help with multiple sclerosis therapy, whether they come from multiple sclerosis patients or those without multiple sclerosis. Preclinical research has also shown that the use of these stem cells can improve disease in multiple sclerosis models and lead to the recruitment of progenitors to sites of inflammation.
In the current study, scientists wanted to establish the safety and dosing of intrathecal neural progenitors derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and investigated the use of these cells in six patients with progressive multiple sclerosis who were not responding to conventional treatments. The patients were treated with between 2 and 5 injections of the stem cells, and they were evaluated for an average of 7.4 years following their first injection.
Not only were there no safety issues that arose with any of the treated patients, but 4 of the 6 patients demonstrated measurable clinical improvement through the use of stem cell treatment. The results of this pilot study provide support for both the tolerability and effectiveness of stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis. Future research will help to clarify the specific protocols that may be used to achieve the desired results in this group of patients.
Reference: Harris, VK, Vyshkina, T, & Sadaiq, SA. (2016). Clinical safety of intrathecal administration of mesenchymal cell-derived neural progenitors in multiple sclerosis. Cytotherapy, 18(12), 1476-1482.
by admin | Jul 18, 2019 | Health Awareness
Lactose intolerance and milk allergy are two conditions in which patients experience adverse health effects upon consuming milk products. It’s, therefore, no surprise that they are often confused and mistakenly used interchangeably. Yet, the two have distinct characteristics, and understanding their unique impacts and how to maintain a healthy diet in spite of them is important for patients.
Key Differences
Lactose intolerance is the body’s inability to fully digest the sugar, or lactose, found in milk. It typically results from a deficiency of lactase, an enzyme in the small intestine that helps turn milk into glucose and galactose. Without lactase, the lactose moves into the colon, where normal bacteria interact with undigested lactose, producing a range of uncomfortable symptoms.
Milk allergy, on the other hand, is the same as any other food allergy. The protein in milk produces an allergic reaction, so people with the allergy are at risk of serious reactions upon consuming both milk itself and products containing it. While an allergy to cow’s milk is seen most commonly, reactions can also occur with milk from goats, sheep, buffalo, and other mammals.
Symptoms
Lactose intolerance can develop at any time in a person’s life and is more common than milk allergy. It tends to be more common in certain populations with up to 90% of African Americans experiencing its symptoms. The condition is also common in Asians and Native Americans and is often seen in elderly populations. Roughly 30-50 million Americans are believed to have lactose intolerance.
Within 30 minutes to two hours after having milk or dairy products, most people with lactose intolerance experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Gas and bloating
Milk allergies, on the other hand, are commonly seen in children under the age of three, although they can develop at any age. Oftentimes, children outgrow the condition by age five. Symptoms vary from one person to the next and can occur within minutes or hours after drinking milk or eating milk products. Immediate symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- Swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat
- Itching or tingling around the mouth
- Wheezing
- Hives
Later, symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, abdominal cramps, and loose stool or diarrhea may occur. Milk is also the third-most common food to cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition in which the airway becomes blocked. For this reason, avoiding milk products and carrying an epinephrine shot is critical for patients with the allergy.
Diagnosis
Diagnostics are available for both lactose intolerance and milk allergies. Doctors often encourage patients to keep food diaries when symptoms such as those listed above arise. To help differentiate among the two conditions, food allergy testing and hydrogen breath tests can be used to diagnose milk allergy and lactose intolerance, respectively.
Patients with lactose intolerance may be able to tolerate small amounts of dairy, especially those which are lower in lactose, such as yogurt or hard cheese. People with milk allergies, on the other hand, must avoid dairy, which also encompasses the ingredients ghee, lactulose, lactalbumin, whey, and casein.
Luckily, there are many alternatives to dairy available today. Nut and soy milk are useful substitutions people with both milk allergies and lactose intolerance can enjoy. With that said, it’s important for patients to ensure they’re getting enough calcium. While doctors may recommend supplements on an as-needed basis, foods rich in calcium such as dark leafy greens and almonds can also be incorporated into the diet to maintain optimal nutrition.
by admin | Jul 16, 2019 | Spinal Cord Injury, Stem Cell Research
Though spinal cord injury is relatively common, with the incidence continuing to grow, there is only one medication used to treat this injury, and it is limited in its effectiveness. Methylprednisolone also comes with serious health risks and must be employed in a short 8-hour therapeutic window.
Given the successes observed with stem cell treatments for other nervous system injuries and diseases, scientists have posited that stem cell therapy could offer new opportunities to help those with spinal cord injury. As such, researchers recently conducted a study to determine whether a certain type of stem cell has the potential to treat spinal cord injury and whether that treatment would be safe to use in patients. The results of the study were published in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.
In their study, the scientists used what is referred to as intrathecal transplantation of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which are stem cells that come from fat tissue. They used these stem cells in 14 patients with spinal cord injury and evaluated the impact of these stem cells on the nervous system and on motor performance, and also monitored patients for any unwanted side effects.
Researchers did not see significant changes in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results over the 8 months following stem cell transplantation, but they did observe improvements in motor scores, suggesting that the stem cells were therapeutically effective against spinal cord injury. Importantly, the intrathecal transplantation of stem cells in these patients was not associated with any serious adverse events. Based on these results, scientists recommend that stem cell protocols are further investigated for their potential to treat patients with spinal cord injury.
Reference
Hur, JW et al. (2016). Intrathecal transplantation of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treating spinal cord injury: A human trial. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 39(6), 655-663.
by admin | Jul 12, 2019 | Age Management, Exosomes, Stem Cell Therapy, Umbilical Stem Cell
As we age, the appearance and structure of our skin changes. This is plain for all to see—we can usually estimate a person’s age simply by looking at their skin. Young skin is full of molecules that keep it thick, plump, and supple, such as collagen and elastin. Over time, the skin produces less and less of the substances. Consequently, aging skin is thinner and it loses its strength and elasticity. As such, the skin develops fine lines and deep wrinkles. It also becomes lax and begins to sag.
Scientists know that the quantity of collagen, elastin, and other proteins make the difference between young and old skin. Not surprisingly, doctors have been trying for decades to increase the levels of these molecules in the skin in an effort to reverse the signs of aging skin. Some approaches work for short periods of time. For example, laser and intense pulsed light treatments can stimulate the skin to produce these youthful molecules. Another approach is to directly inject collagen and other substances into the skin. The Holy Grail of skin rejuvenation, however, is to find a way to make the skin naturally produce more of these substances. Recent research suggests that stem cells could be the answer.
Researchers collected mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cords. This tissue is removed and discarded after a woman gives birth to a baby. The scientists then collect the tiny sacs called exosomes from these umbilical cord stem cells. Exosomes are densely packed with proteins, RNA, and other important molecules that are important for growth in rejuvenation. The researchers then simply applied these exosomes to samples of human skin to see if they could influence skin rejuvenation.
The first remarkable finding of this research was that exosomes taken from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were absorbed into human skin. Why is this important? Because it means that if exosomes are used as a potential treatment, they can be placed on the skin rather than injected into the skin. The second remarkable finding is that exosomes, once they cross into the skin, are taken up by skin cells (human dermal fibroblasts). Once inside the skin cells, the exosomes take over the cells, in a way. They prompt the cells to produce more collagen and elastin than normal. The exosome-treated skin cells also attract other cells to the skin. We know from other work that more collagen, more elastin, and more cells within the skin leads to plumper, fuller, more elastic skin.
While clinical trials are needed to confirm this research, this work strongly suggests that the exosomes from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to rejuvenate human skin. Perhaps most impressively, these potential skin rejuvenating exosomes can be applied topically, such as within a cream or ointment. Thus, patients could receive the potential benefits of this treatment, while avoiding painful injections. Again, more work needs to be done before this research becomes a routine treatment, but the results are quite promising.
Reference: Kim, YJ. et al. (2017). Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells stimulate rejuvenation of human skin. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2017 Nov 18;493(2):1102-1108.
by admin | Jul 10, 2019 | Health Awareness
When it comes to the minerals your body needs to perform well, calcium and potassium tend to get most of the attention. Yet, magnesium, a mineral responsible for more than 300 reactions throughout your body, is a key player in optimal nutrition and overall health. It helps to metabolize food, maintain strong bones, and control inflammation, but its most important job of all is regulating heart rhythm.
Magnesium & Heartbeat
Magnesium contributes to the transportation of electrolytes into a cell. Electrolytes, including potassium and calcium, are critical for the nerve signals and muscle contractions needed to maintain a stable heartbeat. According to the 2012 Framingham Heart Study, low magnesium correlates with atrial fibrillation, a heart malfunction in which the organ’s electrical system creates quivers in the upper chambers, ultimately creating an irregular heartbeat.
While further studies must be completed to determine whether increased magnesium intake can boost heart health, there do appear to be clear benefits of getting enough magnesium. One meta-analysis of more than 20 studies indicate magnesium supplements can lower blood pressure. This could ultimately contribute to improved heart health, since high blood pressure can lead to the thickening of the arteries, increasing the risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Separately, a link between elevated heart attack risk and low magnesium levels has also been established.
How Much Magnesium Does Your Body Need?
Healthy individuals have roughly 25 grams of magnesium stored in their bodies, which is concentrated mostly in the bones. Less than 1% is found in the blood, which is why diagnosing a magnesium deficiency presents challenges. With that said, certain populations are known to face a greater risk for a deficiency, including people with conditions that deplete the mineral. Individuals with gastrointestinal diseases, type 2 diabetes, and alcoholism may have low magnesium. Additionally, people taking diuretics and proton pump inhibitors share a greater risk for a magnesium deficiency.
Individuals with a diagnosed magnesium deficiency may be recommended for supplements, as increasing intake of the mineral could help avoid serious health issues, including irregular heartbeat, seizures, and muscle spasms. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA), or daily level of intake sufficient for nearly all healthy individuals, is 420 mg for male adults aged 31 and up, and 320 mg for women of the same age. Younger people may need less, while women who are pregnant may need more. Speak to your physician to determine what may be best for you.
Dietary Sources of Magnesium
While some foods, such as cereals, are enriched with added magnesium, there are also many food sources which are naturally high in the mineral. Almonds boast the greatest amount of magnesium, with 80 mg per serving. Spinach, cashews, soymilk, black beans, avocado, potatoes, and yogurt are also good sources of the nutrient.
Of course, if you’re experiencing symptoms such as irregular heartbeat or muscle spasms, it’s important to get to the bottom of it by consulting your physician before beginning any supplement regimen. For the right individuals, the benefits of magnesium can extend beyond heart health, leading to reduced inflammation and insulin resistance as well as improved exercise performance.
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