Cell therapy of chronic heart failure
Specialists of the Medical Radiological Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences are developing methods of cell therapy of chronic heart failure and conducted the first clinical studies in Russia, reports STRF.ru .
More than half of the deaths from cardiovascular diseases are due to myocardial infarction and heart failure. Unfortunately, the remedies that exist for the treatment of chronic heart failure are not always effective. Specialists of the Medical Radiological Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences are developing methods of cell therapy for this disease and conducted the first clinical studies in Russia. (Similar studies are carried out in many European countries, Japan, China and the USA.) The method did not cause complications and improved the condition of patients.
For cell therapy, the scientists used mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the patient's bone marrow. The cells were placed in a nutrient medium and treated with 5-azacitidine, under the action of which stem cells differentiate into progenitor cells of cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells). The Federal Service for Supervision of Healthcare and Social Development of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation has allowed the use of these cells for scientific research.
The study involved 46 patients aged 52 to 80 years suffering from chronic heart failure of varying severity. Traditional methods of treatment did not help them. Patients, with their consent, of course, 200-300 million cells were injected into the ulnar vein. At the same time, some of the cells were stored in a cryobank so that the transplantation could be repeated if necessary. Before working with patients, the researchers conducted many experiments on rats, and some even injected these cells themselves. Only after making sure of the safety of the method, the scientists began clinical trials.
Six months after the transplant, the patients' condition clearly improved, and a year later it stabilized. Some patients were even able to perform stress tests and it turned out that they could withstand more physical exertion than before. The rest of the patients were re-transplanted after a year and a half, using cells stored in a cryobank. After a few months, they were able to perform a load test.
In parallel with cell therapy, patients continued to take their prescribed medications. But in the process of observation, they needed fewer and fewer drugs. During the first year of follow-up, the patients did not need hospitalization, they did not have life-threatening arrhythmias, vascular blockage, severe hemodynamic disorders, as well as allergic reactions.
The incidence and prevalence of chronic heart failure is constantly increasing, with about a quarter of patients dying within a year. Studies conducted by specialists of the Medical Radiological Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences have shown that the treatment of such patients by transplantation of cells grown from mesenchymal stem cells of patients is quite effective.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru20.10.2009