Stem cells helped to recover after stroke
Researchers at Stanford University, working under the guidance of Dr. Gary Steinberg, conducted a small clinical study in which 18 stroke patients were injected with unrelated stem cells. As a result, significant improvements were registered in all participants within 6 months after the procedure. Two women showed marked improvements the morning after the procedure.
Based on the results of earlier studies on animal models, scientists came to the conclusion that the introduction of stem cells into the damaged area contributes to the restoration of brain tissue affected by a stroke. Apparently, the transplanted cells do not replace the dead neurons, but have the ability to stimulate the recovery process.
The authors decided to test the effectiveness of this approach in relation to stroke patients. They claim that this study is one of the first attempts to use adult allogeneic stem cells to treat the effects of stroke.
The study involved 18 patients aged 33 to 75 years. Each of them suffered a stroke as a result of cerebral thrombosis at least six months before the procedure. All participants showed signs of weakness or paralysis of the limbs.
For experimental therapy, mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the bone marrow of two donors who were not related to any of the patients were used. The donor cells were cultured in the laboratory and trasfected with a genome that is believed to enhance their regenerative abilities.
The participants were not injected with immunosuppressive drugs, but before the procedure, each of them passed a test for rejection of donor cells.
By computer synchronization of the images obtained during magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, the researchers formed three-dimensional images of the brain damage areas of the participants.
During the drilling of holes in the skull the size of a 5-cent coin, the patients were conscious, but under the influence of sedatives. Using long needles, the researchers injected each of the participants with 15 doses of stem cells in three doses in the immediate vicinity of the borders of the foci of brain damage. Six patients were injected with 2 million cells, another six – 5 million, and the remaining six – 10 million cells.
Undesirable side effects associated with surgical intervention in the brain were reported in three patients. One of them developed bleeding in the area between the brain tissue and the skull. The second had a convulsive seizure, and the third developed pneumonia. All adverse reactions were successfully stopped.
None of the participants had symptoms indicating the development of a rejection reaction of donor cells.
In addition to the safety of experimental therapy, the study demonstrated its positive effect on the condition of patients. Most of them had a gradual improvement in symptoms. According to the researchers, 6 months after the procedure, all participants had an improvement in the functions of weakened or paralyzed limbs, which was demonstrated by the results of three different tests used to assess the post-stroke condition.
However, two participants, one of whom was 33 years old at the time of the therapy, and the second was 71 years old, aroused particular interest among the authors. Both women had severe post-stroke mobility disorders.
The 71-year-old patient could only move her left thumb. However, the very next day after the stem cell transplant, she could raise her arm above her head and lower her leg off the bed. Subsequently, she regained the ability to move independently.
Similarly, a 33-year-old patient who had severe speech impairment and had difficulty keeping her arm in an upright position could raise her arm above her head the day after the procedure. During the following year, her speech improved significantly and her ability to walk was restored.
Steinberg notes that such "miraculous healing" is not a typical result of cell therapy. Given the absence of a control group during the study, it is difficult to say what caused such improvements: stem cells or any other component of the procedure.
Preliminary results of the study were presented at the 82nd Annual Congress of the American Association of Neurosurgeons, held April 5-9 in San Francisco.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on Medical Xpress materials:
Stem cells show promise for stroke recovery.
10.04.2014