Muscular Dystrophy - Stem Cell Treatment Therapy

In the past few years, stem cell research has become a critical part of the scientific understanding of muscular dystrophy treatment. Regenerative treatment using stem cells holds incredible guarantee for the treatment of a large number of people with crippling and perhaps deadly maladies, including muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis and other issues. Some promising results are out, which assert the use of stem cells in curing this condition.

Why Muscular Dystrophy Occurs?

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a hereditary issue. It is caused by a defect in genes that create proteins that are fundamental for healthy muscle development and function.

MD is an acquired disease; it passes from parent to child. A couple of occurrences of MD may happen because of a mutation in genes. This is called a genetic abnormality.

How Can Stem Cell Therapy Help?

Stem cells are known to have a patent application in the treatment of Muscular Dystrophy (MD). These cells can recover degenerated muscles by initiating myogenesis and give a better than average symptomatic alleviation. While the normal decay of tissues in patients of MD is around 20% every year, reduced symptoms after stem cell therapy are marked as the success of treatment.

Who Qualifies for the Muscular Dystrophy Stem Cell Therapy?

The signs which qualify a patient for muscular dystrophy stem cell treatment are:

 

• A waddling gait
• Frequent falls
• Inability to walk
• Pain and stiffness in the muscles
• Difficulty in running and jumping
• Problem in sitting up or standing
• Learning milestones are delayed
• A shortening of muscles and tendons
• The curvature of the spine may worsen
• Cardiac issues may occur
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Risk of aspiration pneumonia.

How are Stem Cells Obtained to Treat Muscular Dystrophy?

The initial phase in a stem cell therapy starts with harvesting the stem cells. These cells are ordinarily acquired from the bloodstream (peripheral blood stem cells). An activation process brings the stem cells from the bone marrow into the peripheral circulation system. Once the stem cells are in bloodstream, the collection process starts.

The blood is isolated utilising an apheresis machine. This procedure takes a couple of hours and is repeated until the required amount of stem cells are gathered. Once the stem cells are collected, they are frozen in a laboratory until needed. The specialist uses chemotherapy and radiation to obliterate the diseased cells before planning the stem cell transplant. The transplant happens two days after the radiation therapy is finished. The frozen sacks of undeveloped cells are defrosted to prepare them for the transplant. Once defrosted, the stem cells are re-introduced into the circulatory system (like blood transfusion). This procedure takes around 60 minutes. The stem cells travel deep down to the bone marrow and create new stem cells. This procedure is called engraftment. What is the Procedure? At first, the stem cells are extracted, processed and enriched, so that they can be reintroduced into the patient's body. Doctors use two methods which are used to infuse the stem cells in the patient’s body. ● Intrathecal Administration Through this mode, stem cells are diffused in the cerebrospinal liquid through the subarachnoid spaces of the spinal canal. ● Intravenous Administration Through this mode, cells are imbued through the veins alongside the mannitol to grow blood volumes in the body. Prognosis The quality, power, tone and reflexes of muscles will enhance with this treatment because of the recovery of new muscle filaments inside the afflicted muscle package, and this alleviates most of the symptoms.