Stem Cells Reduce Parkinson's Symptoms

US scientists have successfully eased the symptoms of Parkinson's disease in monkeys with the help of human stem cell transplants.

The researchers led by Dr. Richard Sidman at the Harvard Institutes of Medicine in Boston isolated stem cells from the brains of aborted foetuses, and grew them into large numbers in the laboratory.

They injected the cells into the brains of monkeys with a severe form of chemically induced Parkinson's disease.

Before the treatment, the monkeys could not walk unaided, struggled to use their hands, and sometimes were unable to move at all. However two months after the treatment, they started walking, feeding themselves, and move more normally.

It surprised the team that the stem cells - rather than replacing the damaged cells as anticipated - actually worked to protect them, preventing further deterioration.

"These results are from a very early stage pre-clinical trial using an animal model of Parkinson's," Dr Kieran Breen, Director of Research and Development for the Parkinson's Disease Society, however, cautioned, "Further trials are needed to establish whether similar results are seen in people who have Parkinson's."

Source: Kerala | BBC | NS

Sex Differences Found in Stem Cells

Stem cells taken from the muscles of female mice are better at regenerating tissue than those taken from male mice, a new study finds.

This revelation could have a major impact on the development of stem cells as therapies for many diseases and conditions.

The discovery came when scientists who had done many studies with these muscle stem cells realized that all of the ones they had used came from female mice. They then did an experiment with both male and female cells to see if they would perform similarly.

“Regardless of the sex of the host, the implantation of female stem cells led to significantly better skeletal muscle regeneration,” said the study’s senior author Johnny Huard, also of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

The sex-related differences seemed to come from the cells’ stress responses. When cells are transplanted, the tissue becomes inflamed and the new cells are exposed to free radicals, which causes the male cells to differentiate, or stop making more of themselves.

via LiveScience

Richard Branson to launch Virgin stem cell bank

Haley, This one is for you. Someone else you can now contact.

British entrepreneur Richard Branson is to add a stem cell storage company to his sprawling Virgin empire, a brand that already covers everything from cola and lingerie to airlines and space tourism.

Parents will be able to store cells from the blood in their baby's umbilical cord in the hope they could one day be used to treat certain blood diseases.

Commercial stem cell banks say stem cells offer an insurance policy if a child falls ill with a disease that may be treatable in the future.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists welcomed Virgin's co-operation with public banks, but said there were no guarantees of breakthroughs.

"Regenerative medicine holds great promise for future management of many diseases and cord blood stem cells might fulfill that promise if they can be expanded and grown successfully in large numbers," said Professor Peter Braude, chairman of the group's scientific advisory committee.

"So far, this has not been the case, but it may change in the future. This proposal provides a long-term insurance lottery that may or may not prove to be successful."

The Leukemia Research charity said cord blood transplants offered the best chance of survival to about 40 children each year in Britain.

Private firm Cells4Life welcomed Virgin's announcement.

"It will raise the profile of stem cell storage," said chairman Wayne Channon. "As the volumes go up, we will absolutely bring down our prices."

He added that the cells may also be used to treat adult heart disease, burns or sporting injuries within one to three years.

Some scientists think stem cells -- master cells in the body that can grow into any cell type or tissue -- could one day be used to treat illnesses such as Alzheimer's and heart disease.

via Yahoo News