Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes lesions in the myelin sheath of the nerves, which progressively hinders activities such as mobility and speech; its cause is so far unknown, although it is presumed to be autoimmune.
The treatment of this pathological entity has been approached from various angles, but one of the proposals in particular is being hotly debated: the use of regenerative medicine.
We tell you all about it below.
What is regenerative medicine?
This is a recently emerging field of medical practice, which, in very general terms, is based on taking advantage of the biorepair properties of the tissues and organs of the human body.
Lines of research to combat multiple sclerosis
One of the best known and most publicized areas of research in medicine is stem cell therapy, which emerged at the beginning of this century.
This technique consists of the ex situ reproduction of new tissues and organs from their germ cells, to be implanted in the individual from whom such cells were extracted, replacing the defective ones.
The regenerative procedures proposed for the treatment of multiple sclerosis are based on stem cell therapy, with the aim of replacing the myelin sheath tissue and thus recovering the normal functions of the nervous tissue.
The outlook is encouraging for sufferers of this condition thanks to the various research studies that have emerged in the last two decades and which have shown promising results, such as the case of an Australian who in 2009 recovered much of his mobility after receiving an implant of germ cells extracted from his own bone marrow.
For example, the 2011 study at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, where it was determined that mesenchymal stem cells could reach the central nervous system, releasing factors that promote neuronal survival, and another study carried out in 2014, at the Center for Regenerative Medicine in La Jolla, California, which demonstrated the curative effects of mesenchymal cells in mice with a condition similar to multiple sclerosis.
In a research conducted just two years ago, by specialists from the Mayo Clinic, the existence of a molecular switch was discovered that releases a substance not identified so far (it could be a hormone), but which has been named protease-activated receptor 1 (PART 1), this compound is responsible for repairing the myelin sheath of the central nervous system.
In another trial, carried out this year at the Remei Hospital in Barcelona, a case of trigeminal neuralgia was successfully reversed in a patient treated with stem cells.
Benefits of stem cell therapy to treat multiple sclerosis
Before the discovery of stem cells, measures to combat multiple sclerosis consisted mainly of alleviating its symptoms.
Today, there are several advantages to using stem cells to treat this condition:
- It combats the root cause of the problem by acting on its direct cause.
- It is a minimally invasive treatment.
- It has a high recovery rate.
- After therapy, a progressive reduction of the symptoms of the disease is evidenced, although cases of complete recovery have not yet been reported.
Harnessing the regenerative capabilities of the human body, especially stem cells, has much to contribute to medicine, and even more to improve the quality of life of people suffering from congenital conditions that are not yet curable, including multiple sclerosis.
Research results are promising and much more remains to be discovered.
We hope you have found this information valuable.
