Japanese researchers have been able to take the first steps in a possible stem-cell-based treatment for muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that targets the muscles and progressively attacks the muscle mass to make it weak. Abnormal gene mutations get in the way of protein production to form healthy muscles. There are various types of muscle dystrophy and most begin during childhood with boys as the most common gender to be hit. Some who have muscle dystrophy will soon lose the ability to walk while others have trouble breathing and or swallowing. There has been no cure found for muscular dystrophy but medications and therapy can help the symptoms or slow down the effect of the disease.
Clik here to view.
A stem cell based treatment might soon treat muscle dystrophy
A team from Kyoto University and the company Asahi Kasei were able to create skeletal muscle stem cells from induced pluripotent stem cells also known as iPS cells. The cells were then injected into the legs of a mouse that had muscle dystrophy, the cells that have been targeted by the disease were stopped from deteriorating and the production of protein continued. Protein production is important in creating stronger muscle mass. The stem cells that were fused with infected muscles were able to help the muscles regenerate and develop.
There are over 30,000 patients in Japan who have been affected by muscle dystrophy. Doctors and researchers are looking for ways to make the lives of these patients better and to ensure that they would still be able to function properly in the future. Muscly dystrophy is no joke and many have been unable to enjoy their life because of this disease. Therapy has been used to slow down the effects of muscle dystrophy and when the stem cell treatment is added, the disease will get better in time. The researchers are looking into clinical trials in the future to ensure the safety of the treatment.
Image from Medicine Net
