fat tissue samples are processed in a sterile area and centrifuged. Then stem cells are introduced into a suspension medium and placed in syringes Photo: THE NATION / Courtesy Luciana Benedetti
Source: www.lanacion.com.ar
By: Nora Bar La Nacion. Rebuild
muscles, tendons and cartilage injuries in race horses, polo and jumping
While regenerative medicine is still a promise for treating human diseases [except a small handful of ailments], a program of the Institute Basic Sciences and Experimental Medicine, Hospital Italiano reality seems to be making ... in horses.
"We've been treated about 50 animals with very good results, the vet has Luciana Benedetti, who heads the Equine Regenerative Medicine. Even have horses whose names I can not disclose a confidentiality agreement, but after suffering an injury and that we have spoken, ran the Carlos Pellegrini Awards or returned to play polo. "Benedetti
use this emerging discipline that uses the attributes of the stem cells, able to morph into different tissues when they receive the signals indicated or are in the right conditions, to restore and regenerate tendon, cartilage or damaged muscles in horses expensive, like thoroughbred horses or polo and jump. After graduating as a veterinary scientist spent several years at the University of Kentucky, United States, where he trained in the techniques veterinary regenerative stem cells from adipose tissue there were being used commercially.
"I returned in 2006 and since then we are studying" she says. It's knowledge that they have very few countries, apart from the United States, only apply here and in Brazil. "
The pioneering experiments in this field were performed by Dr. Doug Hertel just over ten years, when the sternum bone marrow aspirated 100 horsepower and injected directly into ligament injuries.
"As the bone marrow is low in a type of adult stem cells called mesenchymal cells that can differentiate into bone, cartilage, tendon, fat, muscle and other tissues, had to introduce large volumes of bone marrow, and that mechanical damage caused by increased pressure, "says Benedetti.
Later, another American researcher, Robert Harman, he decided to use the tissue fat rich and accessible source of progenitor cells.
"If you get the bone marrow," says Benedetti, as there is very little of mesenchymal must amplify that to implement them to succeed. Instead, the main advantage is that fatty tissue has plenty of available stem cells (1 in 50) and then you do not need to cultivate and amplify. "
Precisely because of this abundance, the treatment Benedetti and colleagues can be applied in one day.
morning sample is taken by a small incision with the animal standing, sedated and under local anesthesia.
"We used the supporting connective tissue or fat, which is where the reservoir of stem cells," says the specialist. The sample size depends on the extent of the injury. For example, a tendon is removed between 15 and 20 grams of fat, but can reach 30 grams. At a minimum, we need five million mesenchymal cells, and a maximum of 20. "
Healing better quality
This fabric is placed in a special transport medium and sent to the laboratory, where it is processed in a sterile area called laminar flow, to avoid any contamination. There
stem cells are separated and then loaded into syringes along with other means of transport that keeps the cells in suspension.
"also can be placed in matrices such as fibrin or other dense material," said Benedetti.
If the lesion is located within the tendon, cells were injected via ultrasound and quickly begin to differentiate in response to "micro factors" that are in the area of \u200b\u200binjury.
Benedetti explains, his team managed to induce the differentiation of fat cells into cartilage, bone and nerve tissue.
"In horses, we use for problems of tendons, ligaments and joint tissue," he explains. The benefits of this technique not seen in the healing time, but in its quality, because regeneration is achieved and not a repair. "
This is vital in the case of horses that can be considered elite athletes. "For the hospital, these treatments have the added interest that serve as a preliminary study to analyze its application in humans, has Benedetti. As a model athlete These horses are incomparable. In the treatments performed so far, after a few days after surgery, the change is impressive. "
However, the regenerative treatment, the cost is around 2500 pesos, to be complemented by a comprehensive approach that addresses the correction of the causes leading the original injury, such as poor conformation or improper shoeing, that unbalance the natural cycle of wear and repair.
"Many times the injury heal scars occur that limit the sport because they lack the resilience of the original tissue Benedetti-ends. The use of veterinary regenerative attempts happening again ligament or tendon rather than scar. "
In humans, yet
Although these cells are attracting interest from researchers working in humans, the International Society for Stem Cell Research ( www. isscr.org ) reports: "Studies are underway, some of which have yielded encouraging results. However, the mesenchymal stem cell therapy have not shown a clear advantage over existing ones, is not considered an accepted standard for any condition and has no regulatory approval for the routine treatment of any disease. [...] It is wrong to claim that therapy in any context other than a trial. "As such, it should be approved, be free and have informed consent.
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