.
.
Study finds stem cells morph in the heart
.
Study finds stem cells morph in the heart
.
In April 2001, Dr. Donald Orlic of the National Institutes of Health and Dr. Piero Anversa of New York Medical College announced that bone marrow injected into the damaged hearts of mice had morphed into cardiac muscle cells to replace those damaged after a heart attack.
.
This promising news led clinicians worldwide to attempt similar treatments using humans. Ten human trials have been completed with all but one having positive results; however, the degree of improvement in patients' heart function has been minimal and variable.
.
This promising news led clinicians worldwide to attempt similar treatments using humans. Ten human trials have been completed with all but one having positive results; however, the degree of improvement in patients' heart function has been minimal and variable.
.
In Brazil, where only the sickest patients were enrolled in testing, Perin found significant evidence that the treatment worked. His patients went from being bedridden to being able to either jog on the beach, climb eight flights of stairs, or reopen a business.
.
.
Despite the fact that some individual cases seem to be favorable, overall statistics have only shown a five to 10 percent improvement in heart function with approximately 200 patients having already been treated.
In addition to the human testing that is taking place, many researchers are trying to recreate the original research on mice that was completed in 2001 but have had no success. At least two separate laboratories, one at Stanford University and another at University of Washington in Seattle, reported that they were unable to replicate the findings of the Orlic-Anversa experiment; they found that bone marrow stem cells did not turn into heart tissue as was originally reported.
In addition to the human testing that is taking place, many researchers are trying to recreate the original research on mice that was completed in 2001 but have had no success. At least two separate laboratories, one at Stanford University and another at University of Washington in Seattle, reported that they were unable to replicate the findings of the Orlic-Anversa experiment; they found that bone marrow stem cells did not turn into heart tissue as was originally reported.
.
Meanwhile, Anversa is standing by his original work and recently reported that he repeated his experiment and found the same results. In an article in the journal Circulation Research, he suggested that his critics did not follow the procedure properly and are suffering from "emotional disbelief" that bone marrow cells are capable of accomplishing this feat.
.
Meanwhile, Anversa is standing by his original work and recently reported that he repeated his experiment and found the same results. In an article in the journal Circulation Research, he suggested that his critics did not follow the procedure properly and are suffering from "emotional disbelief" that bone marrow cells are capable of accomplishing this feat.
.
One explanation as to why there has been a mild degree of improvement in heart function among some patients is the action of injecting the heart. This can cause local inflammation, leading to improved circulation in the inflamed area.
.
.
Despite this possible explanation, some clinicians are convinced that something in the bone marrow mix is causing the improvement in heart function.
.
.
Dr. Helmut Drexler in Hannover, Germany believes that the bone marrow stem cells were secreting hormones that are causing a beneficial response from the heart's cells.
.
.
A lot of time and energy has also been put into figuring out which of the several different kinds of stem cells in the bone marrow is producing this beneficial response.
.
.
Dr. Douglas Losordo at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center and Dr. Young-sup Yoon reported that they had isolated a specific type of bone marrow stem cell that can morph into the three kinds of cells that build the heart. They believe that this could be a better and more specific type of vehicle to inject into patients.
.
.
While clinicians are continuing their work on testing humans, researchers are arguing that clinical trials are unlikely to give any definitive answers since the science behind this work is still unknown.
.
Researchers are working on finding out the role of stem cells in maintaining the heart. Some claim that the stem cell system itself may age, thereby making it ineffective in older people. As a result, using stem cells to treat heart attacks would be pointless for elderly patients.
.
.
Researchers are working on finding out the role of stem cells in maintaining the heart. Some claim that the stem cell system itself may age, thereby making it ineffective in older people. As a result, using stem cells to treat heart attacks would be pointless for elderly patients.
.
In addition to their differences on where to take stem cell research in cardiac health, clinicians and researchers differ on the time scale of bone marrow stem cells being used as a therapy for suffering patients.
.
Clinicians believe that this research will be in use within three to five years. Researchers, on the other hand, believe that the most important thing to do is find the right cell that is causing these beneficial effects; they believe that this alone will take years.
.
Clinicians believe that this research will be in use within three to five years. Researchers, on the other hand, believe that the most important thing to do is find the right cell that is causing these beneficial effects; they believe that this alone will take years.
