Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis in India

Osteoarthritis is  the most common form of artheritis, usual form of chronic disorder  related to the joints that is found in millions of people all across the globe. It is also know as degenerative  joint disease or degenerative artheritis that takes place due to the brek down joint cartilage and the underlying bone. OA can affect any joint, but it occurs most often in knees, hips, lower back and neck, small joints of the fingers and the bases of the thumb and big toe.

Due to the breakdown of the cartilage, pain , selling up and discomfort in the movemnt of the joint is noticed and it can be seen in all age group and genders, however older people are highly prone to osteoartheritis. Considerable growth in osteoartheritis treatment in India is evident now a days. Initially Osteoartheritis was considered just a wear and tear in joint, which now getting more significant approach to treat the disease. Osteoarthritis is the main cause of joint pain both in animals and humans.  Natural cartilage regeneration is very limited and no current drug therapies are curative, but rather look to reduce the symptoms associated with the degeneration. More recently, the use of embryonic stem cell therapy for the treatment of artheritis, especially osteoartheritis.

The symptoms of osteoartheritis vary quite diversely, however few of the common traits of the disease include

Limited range of motion or stiffness 

Clicking or cracking sound when a joint bends

Mild swelling around a joint

Many people believe that the effects of osteoarthritis are inevitable, so they don’t do anything to manage it, however osteoartheritis treatment in India through stem cell therapy is gaining awareness and successful upward trend in the curing the disease.

Joint aspiration, MRI and X ray are the modes through which one can test if he/she is suffering from or a victim of Osteoartheritics.Traditonally , getting involved in physical activity, streching and weight management was considered to tackle the disease, but development in the stem cell therapy and successful result of effective and efficient implementation of the treatment has proven the potential of the mode of treatment.

Stem Cell Treatment In India

Stem cells are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods. Unlike muscle cells, blood cells, or nerve cells—which do not normally replicate themselves—stem cells may replicate many times, or proliferate. Regardless of their source—have three general properties: they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods; they are unspecialized; and they can give rise to specialized cell types. Stem cells have been successfully isolated from variety of human tissues including orofacial tissues. Initial evidence from pioneering studies has documented the likely breakthrough that stem cells offer for various life-threatening diseases that have so far defeated modern medical care.

Scientists are still under the process of understanding the several unanswered questions related to stem cells as stem cell treatment is the most promising therapy for many devastating degenerative diseases. Anemia, leukemia, lymphoma are some of the blood related disorders treated through stem cell treatment in India.

Now the question that strikes into the mind of every reader is what are stem cells. The answer is - They are unspecialized cells with an extraordinary ability to self-renew, capable of differentiating into one or more specialized cell types playing a crucial role in homeostasis and tissue repair. Based on their origin, stem cells are categorized either as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or as postnatal stem cells/somatic stem cells/adult stem cells (ASCs). Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are derived from embryos that are 2–11 days old called blastocysts. They are best grown from supernumerary embryos obtained from in vitro fertilization centers. Adult stem cells are found in most adult tissues. The plasticity of an adult stem cell is described as its ability to expand beyond its potential irrespective of the parent cell from which it is derived. For example, dental pulp stem cells not only develop into tooth tissue but also have the ability to differentiate into neuronal tissue.

Depending on their origin, adult stem cells can be further classified as hemopoetic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Stem cell treatment for many diseases are now the most reliable and effective method to cure it.

Stem Cell Treatment in India

Since last decade, there has been an epidemiological transition occurring in global developed and developing countries. Some forms of diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, metabolic disorders are widely distributed diseases, with rapid progression. While research on stem cells and their application is accelerating at a jet speed, the field is still in its developmental phase.

Until recently, considering the common facilities that were offered to developed countries; research and development of stem cells was mainly concentrated in affluent parts of the world such as USA, Germany, Japan, etc. However, with the due regards to their potential; even developing countries such as India, is now actively participating in the field of stem cells treatments; with the latest innovation of new technology and more knowledge.

In general as well, the demands of technological advancements, skilled medical professional and compliant facilities is more in developing countries because it has been estimated as per WHO report that more than 85% of the chronic diseases death are more prevalent in developing countries; besides the rate is going to double up in coming years. Thus, scientists are more focusing on the research; based on facts and figures of the developing countries to innovate technical advancements on the local context making it to be readily available within affordable range to local people.

It has been strongly supported that India is one of the few developing countries that have strongly begun to work on novel stem cells technology and development. India has manpower, technical strength, aptitude and potential ability to develop supportive stem cells applications to meet its health demands, budget and potential to make important global contributions to this emerging field. It has as well been noticed that almost more than 150 publications have been published in peer reviewed journals at the beginning of the current decade.

Besides, having skills and infrastructure, the acceptability towards the cutting edge technology like stem cells therapies will help India to further develop this sector. Until recently, there was a huge gap between India’s complementary stem cells research and therapy guidelines; which are currently identified to be barriers for their potential therapeutic applications.

Thus, in general India is more focused on fulfilling patients need with latest technological development; due to the growing socioeconomic burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart problems, etc. While stem cells therapies have potential to meet the growing demands; India’s most of the common population is still unaware of the technology.

Stem Cells Treatments for Stroke

Many studies have reported that with the modern technology, it is now possible to treat massive diseases such as stroke with the help of patient’s own stem cells with more feasibility and safety. It has as well been reported that all the patients, who were involved in clinical studies very well tolerated the procedure with no complications, all the patients showed variable improvements, which was confirmed with the help of MRI and CT scan and lastly throughout the study, no signs of tumours or blood vessel malformation detected.

Similar proof of concept trials has concluded complete safety and feasibility of stem cells treatment; as a possible alternative option in demand for many deadly conditions such as stroke. Till date, conditions such as stroke or paralysis were treated to be ultimate conditions; people have to stay with rest of their lives. But with the advent of stem cells technology, the scenario took a swift u turn towards a new path of hope and wellness. Many ongoing clinical studies, such as the one listed above, have confirmed the rationale to motivate many scientists, who are actually working on the development of stem cells, based therapies.

Stem cells are the youngest cells observed in human development and are responsible for giving rise to all the trillions of cells in human body. These cells have the tremendous power of self-multiplication and regeneration without losing its ability over the period of time.  All these exclusive properties collectively signify them as very special candidates that can solve major health issues; which are troubling mankind currently.

Stroke is a condition displaying obstruction in the flow of blood towards the brain due to either blood clot or blood vessel damage. Brain cells are in constant demand of oxygen to survive and work more efficiently. Without a supply of oxygenated blood, there may be a huge neuronal cells death, halting the passage of information from brain to leading organs of the body. This may lead to unwanted consequences such as paralysis; making people be completely dependent for the rest of their lives.

With the help of stem cells based therapies, it is technically possible to infuse enriched stem cells either from autologous as well as allogeneic donor, to initiate new blood vessel formation, reduce the inflammation and regenerate the damaged cells to restore back the brain function to significant levels.

Thus, stem cells treatment for stroke can be a viable option to activate or energize weakened or dead neurons to gain control over lost functions after stroke attack.