Stem Cells Regeneration

[nohorn]

I am curious, to what extent are stem cells used in health problems in Europe. Do any of the socialized medicine programs pay for this care? Just wondering.

[Buenchico]

Stem cell donation, in the form of bone marrow transplants, is well-established in the UK and part of the care regime provided by our National Health Service.

The use of a patient's own stem cells to repair heart tissue is being pioneered in an NHS Hospital (Barts, London):
http://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/research/facilities/heart-stem-cell-research/

Imperial College Healthcare (which runs 5 NHS hospitals in London) is working on other developments using a patients own (bone-marrow derived) stem cells. They hope to have a therapy for acute liver failure available (for NHS patients) in the near future, with hopes of other treatments in the future for diabetes sufferers and stroke victims.

[Sqad]

Good post by Buenchico..

Stem Cells are the precursors of all other cells in the body...liver, kidney,bone..etc.

Can we find a way to make them go "the way we would like?"....direct them into a certain path....e,g form a heart cell, a liver cell....and then the whole organ.

YES....well sort of.

Replacing "rogue" or indeed cancerous blood cells e.g acut myleoid leukaemia and other cancers of blood is well established........e,g Buenchico's link to Barts....and almost all other major hospitals in the UK.....funded by the NHS and free to the patient.

Diabetes, heart disease, strokes and many other organs are being researched, but at the moment, may....just may.....have hidden dangers.

[murraymints]

welcome home Sqad xx ...any research and treatment that will help with diabetes and cancer must be welcomed..diabetes particularly seems to be taking a grip these days and causes such problems for sufferer and places additional stress on an already overloaded health service..

[Sqad]

Thanks murray LOL.......was a short trip.

[Old_Geezer]

High time they managed to get me to grow my third set of teeth with them. I need to teethe again to have a set to use in my old age.

[nohorn]

I was wondering about the status of replacing carlitage in knees, hips, or ankles. Is it being done for those parts? Just wondering.
Thanks to all of you for replies.

[Sqad]

nohorn.....stem cell growth for cartilage is in it's experimental stage and is not routinely used.
However cartilage can be taken from the human body e.g iliac crest (hip) and transferred to the nose...Rhinpolasty.

Also cartilage can be taken from the nose or pinna (ear lobe) to be used in ossicular reconstruction of the middle ear.

However stem cell cartilage use, is some years away yet.

[Psybbo]

Excuse me please, nohorn.
Sqad, please have a look at this update.

[Psybbo]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question1321282.html

[Sqad]

Thanks Psybbo.......just read it. Some investigations take so long that one "loses the plot" so to speak.