Researchers out of MIT, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, were able to grow the very tiny vessels out of stem cells and got them to grow along channels and grooves in a lab type setting.

In no way are these “blood vessels” ready to be placed in humans but it is exciting none the less.

via BBC/UK

Post from: Blisstree

Artificial Blood Vessels Grown Out Of Stem Cells

Could it be the ability to keep very sick hearts alive and working effectively for longer amounts of time then previous? Quite possibly! Could it be that even though there are more registered organ donors, our organs aren’t exactly what they used to be? High cholesterol, smoking, alcohol abuse and older donors… a different type of death.

What do you suppose is the solution? Well I do have 2 words for you… stem cells. I know how controversial and heated the debate is but just think what the implications could be if we were able to regenerate healthy heart tissue. Here is what the UK government has suggested.

The UK government is currently looking into turning our current system of “opting in” to being a donor, to “opting out”, where everybody is considered a donor unless they explicitly state otherwise. But this is a thorny issue, and there are some who believe that no matter how many people are dying on waiting list, the suggestion that the state presume control of our bodies is one step too far.

How do you feel about the above mentioned? Kind of interesting…

Post from: Blisstree

More Organ Donors But Less Heart Transplants

“The general idea is that by providing these cells of blood vessel origin, we hope to either generate new blood vessels from the growth of these implanted cells or stimulate the heart to regenerate new blood vessels from the cells that reside in it,” said study investigator Carl J. Pepine, M.D., chief of cardiovascular medicine at UF’s College of Medicine. “It’s not completely clear whether it’s the actual cell itself that would do this or whether it’s just the milieu and the chemical signals that occur from the cells that would result in this.”

University of Florida is one of 20 research sites that is testing about 150 patients, which is not that many! They will use the stem cells from patients bone marrow and not harvested from their blood. Time will tell, but this stem cell thing is really so amazing. I know all the ethical dilemmas that surround the term “stem cells”, but just imagine what they could do for so many chronic disease process’ in the near future.

via Science Daily/University of Florida

Post from: Blisstree

New Stem Cell Study Examines Exact Use In Regenerating Damaged Cardiac Tissue

British scientists are to try out a new way to repair damage caused by heart attacks. By injecting patients’ damaged hearts with stem cells from their own bone marrow scientists hope to regenerate tissue.

Researchers are hoping that this pioneering project will put them one step closer to using stem cells to routinely treat damaged heart tissue.

“One in three people will die within two or three years and the remaining people will have a very poor quality of life,” said Dr Ascione. “Your exercise tolerance will be very poor, you will not to be able to enjoy your life. If this [experiment] works you will minimize this … the point of this trial is to do the bypass and try to repair the scar, to make it a viable muscle again.”

What a remarkable thought for post heart attack and cardiac patients. The future holds such promise. What do you think about using stem cells to treat diseased tissue? Are you for or against it? Does it matter to you where the stem cells are harvested from?

via Health News Stats

Post from: Blisstree

Stem Cells Used To Repair Damaged Heart Tissue