Stem Cell Research News – Weekly Newsletter for November 15-22, 2010

Umbilical cord cells may be useful in arthritis treatment

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered that umbilical cord stem cells can used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Animal and in vitro experiments have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) taken from umbilical cord blood can suppress inflammation and attenuate collagen-induced arthritis.

Professor Zhan-guo Li worked with a team of researchers, from Peking University People’s Hospital, China, …. Original article  : Umbilical cord cells may be useful in arthritis treatment.

Stem cell patch may improve function after heart attack

WASHINGTON – A new research has found that applying a stem cell-infused patch may result in improved function following a heart attack.

University of Cincinnati researchers also found that function improved more so than when stem cells were directly injected in heart tissue-a therapy that is being studied elsewhere.

The team, led by Yi-Gang Wang, found that … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Stem cell patch may improve function after heart attack.

New technology simplifies embryonic stem cell culturing

LONDON – A team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have unveiled an inexpensive system that simplifies culturing human embryonic stem cells.

“It’s a technology that anyone can use. It’s very simple,” said Laura Kiessling, a UW-Madison professor of chemistry.

Scientists still use surfaces that contain … Original article on : New technology simplifies embryonic stem cell culturing.

Doctors use stem cells to offset stroke damage

LONDON – A stroke victim, who had millions of stem cells injected into his brain in a pioneering attempt to repair the damage, is out of hospital and doctors say he is doing well.

The truck driver in his 60s, who suffered a stroke 18 months ago, is part of the first commercial stem … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Doctors use stem cells to offset stroke damage.

Stem cells taken from belly could be used as a treatment for heart attacks

WASHINGTON – Stem cells derived from belly fat could be used to treat heart attacks, says a new study.

“The study suggests that these cells can be safely obtained and infused inside the hearts of patients following an acute heart attack,” said Eric (HJ) Duckers, lead author of the small study and head of Molecular Cardiology …. Source  : Stem cells taken from belly could be used as a treatment for heart attacks.

Patients’ own stem cells could be used as treatment for their heart disease

WASHINGTON – Scientists are revolutionizing treatment of cardiovascular disease by using patients’ own stem cells to regenerate heart and vascular tissue.

Chief investigator Douglas Losordo, director of the Program in Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Eileen M. Foell Professor of Heart Research of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, will present …. Read the original article  : here.

Stem cells from aged, damaged hearts could be used to treat heart failure

WASHINGTON – A new research has suggested that cardiac stem cells – even in elderly and sick patients – could generate new heart muscle and vessel tissue and be used to treat heart failure.

Scientists surgically removed tissue from the muscular wall of the heart’s chambers in 21 patients.

They then isolated and multiplied the cardiac … Read more : Stem cells from aged, damaged hearts could be used to treat heart failure.

Stem cell research on treating diabetes still on: Experts

NEW DELHI – Stem cell therapy for treating diabetes is still not adequate enough to combat the disease and research on this is still on, experts said Friday.

“The therapy is still in the process of research, with separate studies carried for Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 diabetes,” Edward Horton, professor at the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Stem cell research on treating diabetes still on: Experts.