by Stemedix | Mar 27, 2023 | Regenerative Medicine
Arthritis is a common condition, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that over 300 million people worldwide have some form of arthritis. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 54 million adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis, which represents over 23% of the adult population. Arthritis can affect people of all ages and genders, but it is more common in older adults and women. The prevalence of arthritis is expected to increase in the coming years as the population ages. So does Regenerative Medicine work for Arthritis? Keep reading to learn more.
Arthritis is a general term used to describe inflammation and stiffness of the joints. It can refer to a range of conditions that affect the joints, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout, among others. Arthritis can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected joint(s), and it can affect people of all ages and genders. Some types of arthritis are caused by wear and tear on the joints over time, while others are caused by autoimmune or inflammatory conditions.
Types of Arthritis
There are many different types of arthritis, and the causes can vary depending on the specific type. However, in general, arthritis is caused by inflammation and damage to the joints.
Osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of arthritis, is caused by the wear and tear on the joints that occurs with aging, as well as other factors such as obesity, injury, and genetics.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation and damage.
Other types of arthritis may be caused by infections, metabolic disorders, or other medical conditions.
In some cases, the exact cause of arthritis may be unknown. However, certain risk factors, such as age, family history, and obesity, may increase a person’s likelihood of developing arthritis.
Treatments for Arthritis
There are a variety of treatments available to help manage the symptoms of arthritis, and the specific treatment options will depend on the type and severity of the condition. Treatment options for arthritis may include medication, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, surgery. Some common treatments for arthritis include:
Medications: Over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), may be used to reduce pain, inflammation, and joint damage.
Physical therapy: A physical therapist can work with patients to develop an exercise program designed to improve mobility and strength, and reduce pain.
Occupational therapy: An occupational therapist can teach patients how to modify daily activities to reduce stress on the joints and conserve energy.
Lifestyle changes: Losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding activities that exacerbate joint pain can help manage the symptoms of arthritis.
Assistive devices: Splints, braces, and other devices can help support and protect the joints, making it easier to perform daily activities.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace damaged joints.
It’s important for individuals with arthritis to work closely with their healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that meets their unique needs and goals.
How Can Regenerative Medicine Help Arthritis?
So how does Regenerative Medicine work for Arthritis? A therapy option not in the mainstream of traditional medicine is regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy. There is some evidence to suggest that stem cell therapy may be effective in treating arthritis, but more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a type of adult stem cell that can differentiate into various types of cells, including bone cells, cartilage cells, and fat cells. MSCs are found in many different tissues throughout the body, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, and the umbilical cord.
MSCs have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into specialized cells, which makes them useful in a variety of medical applications, including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. MSCs also have anti-inflammatory properties and can modulate the immune response, which makes them an attractive option for treating a variety of immune-mediated disorders.
Research into the therapeutic potential of MSCs is ongoing, and clinical trials are being conducted to investigate their potential in treating a variety of conditions, including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders.
Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into different types of cells in the body, including cartilage cells. This has led researchers to investigate whether stem cell therapy could help repair damaged cartilage in patients with arthritis.
What Studies Have Been Done on Regenerative Medicine?
Some clinical trials have reported positive results, with patients experiencing reduced pain and improved function following stem cell therapy.
There have been several preclinical and clinical studies that have investigated the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treating arthritis, and some have shown promising results. Here are a few examples:
A 2019 randomized controlled trial published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine found that intra-articular injection of allogeneic MSCs was safe and effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology concluded that MSC therapy has the potential to provide a safe and effective treatment for osteoarthritis, although more well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy.
A 2021 study published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy reported the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that investigated the safety and efficacy of intra-articular injections of autologous MSCs in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study found that the treatment was safe and well-tolerated, and resulted in significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life compared to the placebo group.
Another 2021 study published in the journal Clinical Rheumatology investigated the safety and efficacy of a combination therapy of intra-articular injections of allogeneic MSCs and hyaluronic acid in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study found that the combination therapy was safe and resulted in significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life compared to a control group.
A 2022 study published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy investigated the safety and efficacy of intra-articular injections of umbilical cord derived MSCs in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study found that the treatment was safe and well-tolerated, and resulted in significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life compared to a control group.
So to answer the question of ” Does Regenerative Medicine Work for Arthritis ” the answer is…Overall, these studies suggest that MSC therapy may be a promising treatment option for arthritis. Many patients are exploring stem cell therapy as an option in their healing journey along with other natural and traditional medicines. If you would like to learn more about the regenerative medicine options for Arthritis, contact us today at Stemedix!
by admin | Mar 22, 2023 | Stem Cell Research, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Stem Cell Therapy
Currently, it’s estimated that over 1.3 million people in the U.S., and 10 million people around the world, are living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a chronic and recurrent disease characterized by inflammation of the tissues of the digestive tract[1]. Two specific diseases included under the term IBD include Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).
While the exact cause of IBD has yet to be determined, research seems to suggest abnormal activation of the immune system, genetic susceptibility, and altered intestinal flora resulting from mucus barrier defects play some type of role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Currently, a complete IBD treatment or cure exists. Recent research has also demonstrated that adults with IBD are more likely to suffer from other chronic conditions, including diabetes, arthritis, lung cancer, and heart disease[2].
Clinical trials using stem cell therapy have demonstrated promising results for the potential treatment of IBD, including long-term remission in some patients.
In this review, Zhang et al. review the upcoming stem cell transplantation methods for clinical application and the results of ongoing clinical trials exploring the use of stem cell transplantation as a potential treatment for IBD.
Specific stem cells, known as hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), have been shown to be particularly effective when used as a therapeutic treatment. HSCs are isolated from blood, bone marrow, and cord blood that migrate directly to damaged mucosal tissues. Initially used in patients with IBD because of other hematologic indications, including leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the use of HSC therapy (HSCT) demonstrated improvement in intestinal lesions. Further study using HSCT showed that some patients with UC and CD demonstrated sustained clinical and endoscopic improvement. The authors point out that while these limited clinical trials have demonstrated promising results, the observed risk of relapse currently prevents HSCT from being classified as an effective treatment and calls for larger samples and longer-term efficacy observations.
Another stem cell treatment currently being evaluated for the treatment of IBD is the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). When injected intravenously, MSCs demonstrate the ability to reach the injured area of the intestine, colonize mucosa to control inflammation, improve microcirculation, and repair damaged tissues. A systematic review conducted by Lalu et al. found that the use of MSCs did not show significant side effects and was a relatively safe therapeutic treatment option.
Zhang et al. conclude that the significant advance in stem cell research made over the past twenty years has made them a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of IBD. Although a limited number of clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy of specific stem cells, specifically HSC and MSCs in IBD, the authors point out that the current treatments need to be improved and further research must be conducted in order to fully understand the complexity associated with the condition.
While this review focuses primarily on the use of HSC and MSC, Zhang et al. call for continued preclinical exploration of other cell therapy methods with the goal of improving the quality of life of IBD patients.
Source: “Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease – PMC.” 31 Jul. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9368934/.
[1] “Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – Symptoms and causes.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353315.
[2] “People with IBD Have More Chronic Diseases – CDC.” https://www.cdc.gov/ibd/features/IBD-more-chronic-diseases.html.
by admin | Mar 17, 2023 | Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy
An estimated 100 million people in the U.S. have some form of acute or chronic liver disease. Many factors, including viral and bacterial infections, substance abuse, diabetes, and fat deposition, contribute to conditions that harm the liver.
Left untreated, these liver conditions often progress to more serious diseases that often require a liver transplant. Historically, a host of issues – including a low number of tissue donors, a high rate of tissue rejection, medicine-induced immunosuppression, and high associated medical costs – has limited access to, and the effectiveness of, liver transplantation as a viable solution.
Considering the limited options available for the successful treatment of liver disease, identifying alternative treatment options has become very important. Recently, the potential treatment of acute and chronic liver disease using regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, has garnered an increased amount of attention.
While a number of different types of stem cells have been used to treat liver disease, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been the most studied and successful in reducing the need for liver transplantation.
MSCs have been used to repair liver tissue through a number of different methods, including co-culturing with HSCs to reduce and prevent the progression of fibrosis and the proliferation of disease-causing cells through the production and secretion of specific inflammatory factors.
Treatment of liver disease with MSCs has also been shown to increase endothelial precursor cell proliferation while suppressing apoptosis in LSECs and hepatocytes, and by lowering serum transaminase enzyme levels. MSCs have also been shown to compensate for hepatocyte reduction resulting through liver-disease induced apoptosis by differentiating into hepatocyte-like cells.
Considering the observed role of MSCs in liver tissue repair and regeneration, Hazrati et al concluded that the use of MSCs induces the repair and regeneration of liver tissue through immune response modulation, differentiation into HLCs, increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis in hepatocytes, increased apoptosis and reduced function of HSCs and improve the function of LSECs.
The authors also point out that, as of publication, there were 61 active clinical trials using MSCs to treat a variety of liver-related diseases, including cirrhosis, fibrosis, and liver failure. The associated advantages of MSCs in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory liver disease include ease of isolation and culture, pluripotency, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, extracellular signaling, and their ability to differentiate.
The authors conclude this review by summarizing the observed benefits of using MSCs, and specifically MSC-EVs to improve liver function and support the repair of damaged liver tissue. The authors also point out that while there have been numerous clinical trials using MSCs to treat liver disease, there have been no clinical trials performed on the use of MSC-EVs and call for additional research to investigate the long-term effects of treating liver disease with MSC-EVs.
Source: “Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells and Their Extracellular Vesicles ….” https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.865888/full.
by Shoot To Thrill Media | Mar 15, 2023
Our Doctors Dr. Adam Gorberg, MD Dr. Adam Gorberg is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. He began his studies at the State University of New York at Albany, graduating Summa Cum Laude with Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He received his...
by Stemedix | Mar 13, 2023 | Uncategorized
Diabetes is a chronic condition that can progress in severity if left unmanaged. In many cases, untreated diabetes can lead to severe nerve pain. When you suffer from diabetic nerve pain, you may find yourself looking anywhere and everywhere for some relief. Find out how you can address your diabetic nerve pain.
What Causes Diabetic Nerve Pain?
Also known as diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nerve pain is the result of unstable blood sugar levels. When you have diabetes and allow your blood sugar to rise continuously, it can do damage to the nerves that send signals throughout your body.
The blood flow to these nerves is reduced, and they are no longer able to function properly. This leads to nerve pain, most often in the hands, feet, and legs.
Treating Diabetic Nerve Pain
If you develop diabetic neuropathy, there are several treatment options that can alleviate your pain. Learn more about each of these treatments below:
Blood Sugar Maintenance
The best way to stop nerve pain from progressing is by controlling your blood sugar. Practicing proper blood sugar maintenance and keeping your levels in a healthy range will stop the progression of neuropathy and prevent additional nerves from being damaged.
INF
INF, or intraneural facilitation, is another way to treat diabetic nerve pain. INF is an innovative treatment that does not involve any medications and is completely non-invasive. During INF treatment, blood supply is restored to the damaged nerves, alleviating pain and discomfort.
Medication
Sometimes, over-the-counter medication is the best way to relieve diabetic nerve pain. Medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin can all reduce the severity of your nerve pain when used for short periods. In severe cases, prescription pain medications may be needed to provide comfort.
Physical Therapy
Another way to address diabetic nerve pain is with physical therapy. Certain exercises and stretches can relieve the discomfort caused by neuropathy. These exercises include swimming, walking, and other low-impact exercises.
Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine is a developing field that aims to restore or replace damaged or diseased tissues. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high levels of blood sugar (glucose) due to the body’s inability to produce or properly use insulin.
One approach of regenerative medicine is the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to replace damaged or dysfunctional cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. These cells can be derived from a patient’s own body (such as bone marrow or adipose tissue) or from umbilical cord tissue (Wharton’s jelly). Although more research is needed to optimize these approaches, several studies have shown promising results in using stem cells to generate new insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment
Are you struggling with chronic pain and discomfort due to diabetic neuropathy? Diabetic nerve pain can occur when blood sugar levels are not managed properly. To stop the progression of your neuropathy or to prevent nerve pain in the first place, you must keep your blood sugar under control.
Establishing a reliable medical team and having doctors whom you trust can help you manage your diabetes and keep your blood sugar at healthy levels. To learn more, contact a care coordinator today at Stemedix!
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