Scientists have discovered that paralyzed patients can recover movement and feeling by being injected stem cell derived from their own fat.
Researchers have found that people who suffered severe injuries in car accidents or after falls can show a variety of improvements.
Treatment involves removing fat from the abdomen and thighs and then removing mesenchymal cells, a type of stem cell which can target injuries and promote repair and regeneration.
After the stem cells have been isolated from fat, they will be grown in the laboratory for four weeks, until they reach a number of 100 million. They are then injected into spine where they will migrate to the damaged areas.
Seven of the 10 patients who participated in early trials reported an increased sense of sensation and strength in their muscles that are involved in movement.
Two out of three patients with complete injuries to the thoracic spinal cord – meaning that they had no sensation or movement below the injury – regained some feeling and movement control.
Chris Barr of Lafayette, California was the first to receive treatment for a damaged spine after a surf accident in 2017.
He told ABC News: “I had never imagined I would have a recovery as good as this. I can now feed myself. I am able to do my daily activities independently.
I’m so happy that people are taking the initiative to do research in order to find a cure. It’s still not over.
Chris, aged 57, was surfing at Ocean Beach in San Francisco when he fell off his board and smashed into the water. His neck was broken in eight places.
He asked his wife Debbie, who had been told that he would be paralyzed, to turn off his life support. But in the weeks following the accident, he began to feel again and was able wiggle his feet.
After six months of rehabilitation he was unable to make progress. He enrolled in a Mayo Clinic study and noticed changes within weeks.
He said, “I felt it. I could definitely feel something in my legs.” “I did a lot of tests over the course of two weeks. I tested my hand strength, my finger motor, and I did a walk test.
“Everyone of them improved by 25 to 50% again. Something happened. “The first time I walked by myself was really amazing.”
After 15 months of being injected with stem cells, Mr Barr was able to walk 30ft (91cm) in 23 seconds. Today he can cover the same distance in only 13 seconds.
Dr Mohamad Brydon, Mayo Clinic’s neurosurgeon, and the first author of the research, said that the results showed that spinal cord injuries, which were previously thought to be hopeless, may now be treated.
“Since years, the treatment of spinal injury has been limited primarily to supportive care. This includes stabilisation surgery and physical rehabilitation,” Dr Bydon said.
Many historical textbooks claim that the condition is not improving. Recent findings by the medical and science community have challenged previous assumptions.
This research is a major step towards the ultimate goal of improving treatment for patients.
Around 2,500 people in Britain are injured each year by a spinal injury.
Even though it is possible to remove or fuse bone fragments and realign the spine, some people still have limited movement at the site of injury.
Six people with neck and back injuries aged 18-65 were assessed with the American Spinal Injury Association’s (ASIA) Impairment scale, which has 5 levels ranging from total loss of function to normal functioning.
Seven patients who showed improvement after treatment each improved by at least one level, and two patients moved up by two levels on the ASIA Scale. Three patients did not show improvement.
The spinal cord is unable to regenerate or repair cells. Most patients recover in the first 6-12 months following an injury. The improvement usually stops between 12 and 24 months following injury.
During the trial, two patients with neck injuries involving the cervical spine received stem cells at 22 months following their injury and improved by one level on ASIA after treatment.
Some people also improved their bowel movements and regained mobility.
“Even a slight improvement in spinal cord injury can have a major impact on the patient’s life quality,” said Dr Bydon.
“Spinal Cord Injury is a Complex Condition. Future research could show that stem cells combined with other therapies can be used to create a new paradigm for treatment. This would improve the outcomes of patients.
This study documents the safety of stem cells, regenerative medicine and their potential benefits.
Fat tissue is used as it is plentiful and easy to obtain in the body, and contains the most mesenchymal cells.
Scientists are unsure of how stem cells boost regeneration despite the treatment’s success. In animal tests, stem cells have been shown to flock towards areas that are inflamed, helping regulate the immune reaction.
Researchers collected cerebrospinal liquid from patients’ lumbar punctures before and after the treatment, to determine if there were any changes.
Seven patients had an elevated level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor after treatment. The protein is responsible for promoting the growth of blood vessels, and it’s part of the mechanism to restore blood supply to tissues and cells.
Phase one of the trial, which was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the treatment, found no serious side effects. Only mild symptoms such as headaches and musculoskeletal discomfort were reported. These side effects resolved after taking over-the counter medication. More trials are expected.