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.

Stem cells Treatments for Autism

The critical demand for effective treatment for children suffering from autism is increased in near future. In this regard, stem cells treatment for autism is much more of the easy choice, than it was often thought to be. One of the greatest breakthroughs that these stem cells might impose is a constant reminder of body’s innate ability to heal itself in the crisis.

Autism is not as such a deadly disorder, on the contrary in developing countries like India; very few people are aware of the fact that there children are suffering from this autistic. It is actually an umbrella term for wide variety of diseases ranging from mild to severe forms. Scientists have linked up the occurrence of the condition to various risk factors such as genetic abnormality, vaccine reaction, injury, exposure to heavy metals and pesticides during pregnancy and environmental allergies, etc. There are other unknown causes as well, which are yet to be confirmed.

More often, it has been observed that autistic child has difficulty in maintaining cognitive functions such as control, coordination, social interaction, concentration, etc. In this regard, hardcore research and clinical studies have increased the basic understanding of underlying mechanism. In autistic children, a connection between the brain and its abilities to perform cognitive functions has been observed to be halted due to neural degeneration or weakened neurons. Stem cells, due to their strong regeneration properties are reported to be integrating well with the microenvironment of the brain. These stem cells being anti-inflammatory in nature can prevent the initial inflammation of faulty immune system; secrete various growth factors, which can relevantly direct these stem cells to become resident tissue specific cells such as neurons in case of brain. These superior functions of stem cells are important for their potential applications in stem cells therapeutics for autism.

It has well to be noted that there cannot be guaranteed improvement for adult stem cells treatment to autism, however enough positive changes have been noted in children after getting infusion in stem cells treatment.

Explorations in the field of Stem Cell Treatment for Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most dangerous diseases, as it stealthily attacks the body. People normally overlook the initial symptoms, but with time both type-1 and type-2 diabetes turns into a serious problem and can prove fatal for the patient. The degenerative consequences of this disease are primarily because of hypoglycemic events and hyperglycemia, which set off degenerative conditions. When it comes to treating degenerative diseases, stem cell treatment for diabetes is the option that seems the most suitable.

Researchers have come up with innovative autologous stem cell treatment to treat both kinds of diabetes. This kind of therapy deals with the root conditions like hyperglycemia as well as complications associated with it. Some recent trials have also shown that stem cell treatment for diabetes can also aid in curing Hypoglycemia, which can be very hazardous if suitable treatment is not administered in time. Researchers in India are also involved in clinical trials to develop safer stem cell treatment for diabetes in India.

Recently, researchers are examining Mesenchymal stem cells, which comes with differentiation as well as self-renewing capacity. This capability of differentiating into different cell types including vascular, cartilage, brain, bone, and other cells proves that these can also help in controlling diabetes mellitus. Further studies are being conducted to explore the potential of MSCs in treating diabetic neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, diabetic retinopathy, polyneuropathy, as well as wounds caused by diabetes.

Of late, many clinics have surfaced that provide stem cell treatment for diabetes in India. The main aim of giving a boost to stem cell treatment for diabetes in India is to provide prolonged life to Indian masses, to help in reducing the symptoms of both kinds of diabetes, along with preventing the risky complications like kidney failure, heart disease, and even blindness.

Earlier stem cell treatment was mainly prevalent in western or European countries, but now stem cell treatment even for type-1 diabetes is now available in India. Researchers in India are now trying to explore two major techniques to use stem cell for curing type-1 diabetes. The first one involves exploring the capacity of beta cells and the second involve cells supporting repair of beta cells in patients. 

Stem cells Treatments for Diabetes

In the developed countries, sedentary life styles, diet and other wrong adaptive habits can exact the toll of diabetes in millions of people; may be young as well as old. Over the period of time, research has unfolded many pages, which lead to better understanding of the mechanism but still the scarcity of effective treatment is troubling many medical practitioners. For decades now, researchers are making slow but steady development in the applications of stem cells treatment for diabetes.

Diabetes is basically categorized as the group of disorders that is deregulated by the body’s faulty immune system; leading to damaged insulin producing cells. This damage can alter the blood glucose metabolism, causing it to be accumulated in the blood. Due to long term exposure of this sweet blood to different functional organs, such as heart, kidney or vascular system; they can be damaged severely. Thus diabetes is a condition that can be asymptomatic in its initial phase but go bizarre in later part of its progression.

Conventionally, no treatment is available for the condition, except for some supportive treatment approach such as hormonal supplements, diet control, regular exercise and weight loss. People have to follow their schedule strictly to manage the symptoms for their rest of the lives. It has been estimated that each year more than 1500, whole pancreatic transplant take place with more than 85% success rate. However, the demand for organs outweighs their availability. Besides, to allow the body to accept the transplanted organ, the patient has to be on strong supplementation, which may risk his life by other opportunistic infections.

Scientists have worked hard on developing a potential stem cell treatment diabetes. Since own cells are destroyed in autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes; more emphasize would be in regulating immunological cells to deny their access of destruction. Stem cells are the potent cells with the ability to differentiate into different cells types depending upon the requirement. Modern technology has allowed easy isolation of these cells from different organs such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, etc. and infused back at the specific sites after laboratory enrichment. These cells then reprogram immune cells, reduce the initial inflammation and regenerate weakened cells to restructure cellular system of the pancreas to make it functionally powerful.

Thus, after addressing various safety and feasibility issues in various clinical studies, it has been clear that stem cells are undoubtedly promising candidates for implementing stem cells based therapies as routine practices for diseases such as diabetes.

Stem Cell Therapy In India

In recent year stem cells and their power of regeneration has constantly been in news because of their potential and differentiation ability to develop. These potential applications are promising for treating variety of deadly, degenerative disorders, which cannot be cured completely with conventional treatment option. These applications of stem cells are still a debatable issue. People are more skeptical, still for their success and effectiveness. Sometimes, they are equipped with wrong information about this stem cells therapy. Probably they are still not able to differentiate between adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells.

Scientists have diverted their attention now to explore various different adult stem cells sources. This is the reason, why adult stem cells sources such as adipose tissues, dental pulp and bone marrow are being used very commonly without the hassles of ethical debate. These cells are supposed to be less controversial because of their easy availability and low risk associated with their isolation from host. Stem cells are the naïve, unique cells; which can differentiate into many new cells of different origin, depending upon their potency. No doubt adult stem cells are less potent as compared to embryonic stem cells but considering the other advantages in their applications; adult stem cells can definitely be scientist’s first choice for developing cell based therapies.

Right from the last decade, considerable advancement have been achieved in the field of regenerative medicine. Earlier scientists have to wait for not less than three weeks to reach to the conclusion, whereas now the scenario has changed completely due to the technology automation. Now days, results are out within an hour of the sample processing. Processing can as well be done directly at the point of care near the bedside of the patient, suffering from diseases. It has also been possible that these potential adult sources can be stored under controlled conditions to use whenever there is demand; as an individual’s healthcare security.

Stem cells therapy is found out to be very potent in diseases such as orthopaedics, neuromotor degeneration, cancers, autoimmune diseases, etc.

Thus, anecdotal evidences have proved that stem cells therapies considerable improvements can be noted in case of fatal conditions; for which conventionally no treatments can be offered.