by admin | Oct 1, 2022 | Stem Cell Therapy, Exosomes, Extracellular Vesicles, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Stem Cell Research
The number of people experiencing autoimmune diseases (ADs) continues to increase worldwide. Currently, it’s estimated that between 2 and 5% of the global population is afflicted with the most severe forms of these diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1DM), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
An autoimmune disease can occur nearly anywhere in the body and is the result of the immune system mistakenly attacking your body instead of protecting it. While the reason this occurs is not yet fully understood, there are over 100 different types of autoimmune diseases classified into two types: organ-specific (T1DM) and multiple system-involved conditions (SLE and RA).
In addition to T1DM, SLE, and RA, other common autoimmune conditions include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), and multiple sclerosis (MS).
In addition to not fully understanding why these conditions occur, conventional treatments (mainly in the form of immunosuppressants) alleviate associated symptoms but do not provide lasting or effective therapy for preventing or curing these diseases.
In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EV) have demonstrated immunosuppressive and regenerative effects, and are now being investigated as promising new therapies for the treatment of ADs. In this review, Martinez-Arroyo et al. provide a complete analysis of current MSC and MSC-EV efforts in regard to some of the most severe ADs (T1DM, RA, and SLE) as a way to demonstrate progress in the discovery and application of new stem cell therapies for the treatment of ADs.
Initial research by the International Society of Cellular Therapy in 2006 established that MSCs are able to exert a range of biological functions, with the most well-known being immunosuppressive and regenerative effects, suggesting that MSCs-based therapies for the treatment of ADs is possible. Additional research has also demonstrated MSCs role in regenerative medicine to be safe and effective in treating a wide variety of diseases and injuries.
Further study has demonstrated that MSCs influence immune cell proliferation, differentiation, and function. While this is promising, research also suggested that the microenvironment influences the induction, increase, and maintenance of MSCs immunoregulatory role.
Considering this, the authors of this review suggest that blocking immune cell reprogramming while maintaining MSC roles in the immune microenvironment would provide new insights into identifying strategies for the biological treatment of ADs.
Current research and findings also support the use of MSC for the regeneration of tissue. This same research has also raised concerns related to cell survival, genetic instability, loss of function, and immune-mediated rejection. Because of this, Martinez-Arroyo et al. call for further study to better understand the biology, biomaterials, and tissue engineering used during MSC therapy.
The authors conclude this review by pointing out that there has been a revolutionary change in perspective in the field of MSC-based therapies for the treatment of AD primarily stemming from the use of MSC-EVs as potential therapeutic options.
Additionally, when comparing the use of MSCs to MSC-EVs, the authors highlight several advantages demonstrated by MSC-EVs. These advantages include providing stability and safety, avoiding tumorigenesis, genetic mutability, and immunogenicity when compared to MSCs, and allowing for several modifications to their surface and cargo – all enhancing their potential as viable treatment options for ADs.
While MSC-EVs demonstrate tremendous potential, the authors call attention to the fact that the use of MSC-EVs is still in the initial research and development phases and faces major obstacles and limitations in a number of areas, including overcoming the optimization of methods for MSC-EV characterization, high-scale production, and purification and improving MSC-EV targeting.
Considering these limitations, Martinez-Arroyo calls for further research with animal models and clinical assays as a way to test the safety and efficiency of using MSC-EVS as cell-free therapy for ADs.
Source: “Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Non ….” https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/14/4/733/htm.
by Stemedix | Sep 26, 2022 | Parkinson's Disease, Regenerative Medicine
For several decades, there has been extensive research into how regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, can help patients suffering from central nervous system disorders. One of the most heavily researched conditions has been Parkinson’s disease. Patients who struggle with Parkinson’s understand how severe their symptoms can be and how rapidly the disease can progress. This makes finding an effective treatment essential for maintaining the quality of life. Here we will discuss the possible treatments for Parkinson’s Disease.
How Stem Cells Can Make a Difference With Parkinson’s Disease
Recent studies have shown that body fat could be a promising key to helpful stem cell treatment in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital found that fatty tissue can produce stem cells for treating various central nervous system disorders, providing a homegrown source of regenerative medicine.
Neural stem cells were identified in these studies when scientists assessed body fat in mice. When examining the subcutaneous adipose tissue, researchers found nerve fibers that contained Schwann cells. Schwann cells are a type of cell used in the maintenance and regeneration of neurons in the peripheral nervous system.
In vitro analysis of the Schwann cells revealed that they can provide stem cell-like qualities. These stem cell qualities may have regenerative properties that support motor and sensory actions in patients with conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
One of the benefits of sourcing cells from body fat is that it is derived from the patient’s own tissue. Using homegrown stem cells has been shown to be most effective when treating numerous conditions.
Scientists found that the Schwann cells discovered in the study improved digestive function in mice with disorders like gastroparesis and colonic aganglionosis. This occurred when injected into the gastrointestinal tract of the mice.
When applied to the central nervous system, these cells could potentially improve nervous system function in patients with certain neurological disorders.
A researcher in this study explained:
“Because adipose stem cells are widely considered to be safe therapeutic agents for humans … the derivation of SAT-[neural stem cells] offers unprecedented potential for therapeutic application in neurological diseases.”
This means that the cells identified in the study could one day provide a safe, natural treatment for patients struggling with the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
A Promising Option For Parkinson’s
It is worth noting that there’s still much research to do when it comes to stem cells and how they might treat various disorders.
The relationship between Parkinson’s disease and stem cell therapy is the subject of several ongoing studies. The hope is that stem cell treatments are soon widely accepted as an alternative way to potentially relieve the effects of degenerative neurological conditions. If you would like to learn more about the available treatments for Parkinson’s Disease contact us today at Stemedix!
by admin | Sep 23, 2022 | Health Awareness
You’re not alone if you’ve seen the term “mylk” and wondered if it’s a typo. While longtime vegans have known the term for years, it’s only recently become a mainstream way to differentiate between plant-based “mylk” and animal-based milk.
What If Your Almond Beverage Still Says “Milk”?
Many companies haven’t made the switch in names, but that doesn’t mean they’re not plant-based. For example, dairy and non-dairy beverages can fall under the “milk” title. However, only plant-based beverages can be called mylk.
Why Are So Many People Switching to Mylk?
Mylk products have become a popular alternative to traditional dairy milk for several reasons.
Lactose Intolerance
Dairy products contain a sugar called lactose. After infancy, most humans suffer from lactose malabsorption. Up to 70% of adults lack the enzyme lactase in the small intestines that breaks lactose down into glucose and galactose.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
Those whose bodies can’t process lactose typically begin experiencing these symptoms 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods containing dairy.
Lower Fat and Calories
Most mylks are lower in calories, and almost all mylks are lower in saturated fat than traditional dairy milk. In addition, plant-based mylks contain no cholesterol or lactose, making them a better choice for those who are lactose intolerant or have dysfunctional cardiovascular systems.
However, it’s worth noting that not all mylk has the same calcium and protein content that dairy milk offers. Many mylks are fortified with calcium, protein, and vitamins, though, so it pays to read each label before buying.
Better for the Environment
In general, animal products impact the environment significantly more than their plant-based alternatives. Since animals need food, water, and space, they take up agricultural areas that could be used to feed people.
A 2019 study found that producing one glass of dairy milk results in three times the greenhouse gases required to make plant-based mylk. Additionally, dairy milk production requires nine times the land of mylk alternatives.
Finding a plant-based alternative to dairy milk is easier than ever before. Switching from dairy milk to mylk is just as delicious and comparable in price. It’s worth experimenting with the many varieties available to see which one works for you.
by admin | Sep 21, 2022 | Health Awareness
Feeling tired is a common complaint. For some, this fatigue is related to an underlying medical condition. For others, however, some simple lifestyle changes can often remedy fatigue.
Why Am I So Tired?
Everyone becomes tired. However, it’s not normal to feel consistently tired even when waking up after a good night of sleep. Fatigue can stem from psychological factors like stress or depression, physiological problems like excessive exercise or poor sleep, and medical conditions like diabetes or anemia.
Many medical issues lead to chronic fatigue, including:
- Cancer
- Sleep apnea
- Heart failure
- Autoimmune disorders
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Malnutrition
Patients who experience tiredness for six months or longer may have chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalopathy. However, another diagnosis may coincide with chronic fatigue syndrome, and patients with the condition often have sleep disturbances, chronic pain, or cognitive difficulties.
Since many medical conditions cause fatigue, seeing a physician to rule out any medical concerns causing your exhaustion is essential.
How Do I Beat Fatigue?
Since the causes of fatigue vary widely, so do the treatments. For example, new parents are often fatigued because their babies need to eat every few hours. So, cutting back on caffeine won’t help them as much as it would help someone who can’t fall asleep at night.
However, when your fatigue isn’t caused by a new baby or a medical condition, you can make standard lifestyle changes to sleep consistently and restoratively. These include:
- Bettering your sleep hygiene, or pre-sleep rituals
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing your caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon and evening
- Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water
- Identifying and managing stressors
- Learning breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga to foster relaxation
- Avoiding alcohol, nicotine, and recreational drugs
Patients who continue to struggle with fatigue despite implementing these changes may benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy or other forms of therapy to identify and treat the challenges that keep them from getting proper rest.
For more health awareness blogs, please visit www.stemedix.com/blog.
by Stemedix | Sep 19, 2022 | Stem Cell Therapy
Sciatica pain radiates from the lower spine down the back of your leg. Pain from the sciatic nerve can vary from sharp and jolting to a mild ache. Some sufferers find it worsens when they perform small actions, like coughing or sneezing. In addition to pain, sciatica can cause numbness, muscle weakness, or tingling. While surgery offers a treatment option for some with sciatica, results can be inconsistent and often include a long recovery. Here we will discuss the nonsurgical therapy options for sciatica pain.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain stemming from the sciatic nerve. Beginning in the lower spine, the sciatic nerve splits and extends down both legs, all the way to the feet, making it the largest nerve in the body.
Often sciatica results from a problem in the lumbar spine, such as a herniated or bulging disc that compresses the nerve and creates pain that travels throughout one side of the body.
Nonsurgical Therapy Options for Sciatica
Once sciatica is diagnosed correctly, patients can explore treatment options. Frequently, patients can find relief without surgery. Some of the most effective non-surgical treatments include:
Physical Therapy
Often, physical therapy is the first treatment a physician recommends for those suffering from sciatica. The exercises and movements used in physical therapy strengthen and restore the range of motion to the core, buttocks, pelvis, and legs.
Physical therapy focuses on reducing nerve and muscle spasms, improving mobility, fostering the spine’s healing, and restoring proper function to the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint.
Medications
Over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen, and prescription medications, such as muscle relaxants, may offer patients temporary relief from their sciatica pain.
In addition, patients can use some topical medications in conjunction with oral medications, including:
- Menthol
- Capsaicin
- Camphor
- Methyl salicylate
Topical treatments often provide pain relief with fewer side effects than oral medications.
Steroid and Nerve Blocking Injections
Steroid and nerve blocking injections are common and effective treatments to reduce pain and increase functionality temporarily.
A physician administers steroid injections and a local anesthetic into the space surrounding the nerve roots and spinal cord. Nerve blocking injections use live X-ray guidance to target the area where the nerve is compressed and turn off pain signals traveling to the brain.
Nerve blocks can be administered independently or in conjunction with steroid injections.
Regenerative Medicine
Recently, regenerative medicine which can include stem cell or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have provided an promising therapy option for sciatica. Both stem cells and PRP injections use the body’s natural healing properties to repair damaged cells, restore function, and reduce pain.
These options may offer relief by reducing inflammation and accelerating the healing process. As a result, they are emerging as a preferred alternative to treatments like steroid injections, which can result in long-term side effects that include cartilage and nerve damage. These side effects can exacerbate sciatica symptoms. If you would like to learn more about the Nonsurgical therapy options for sciatica, contact Stemedix today!
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