Muscle Repair and Growth with Stem Cell Treatment

Research undertaken by a team at the University of Colorado into muscle repair and growth led to a significant increase in muscle size and of muscle mass in mice treated with stem cell injections (Tanka, et al, 2009). Although successful, the potential for similar results in humans has been questioned simply due to the difference in size of human patients and the experimental mice, thus necessitating considerably more stem cells, and high rates of activity for the success to be replicated. The researchers also noted that those mice with induced muscle injuries had an average muscle size increase of 170% and a 50% increase in muscle mass which was maintained throughout the rest of their lives, which suggests that the stem cell treatment kick-started the satellite cells in the muscle to aid regeneration and growth which is then maintained by a restorative stem cell pool.

Stem Cells for Bodybuilding

Those mice without an induced injury displayed no response to treatment, as might be expected given the research already mentioned regarding the necessity of specific environmental factors for stem cell activation and migration. The necessity for an injury of some kind for the stem cells to work means that cosmetic use of stem cell therapy for muscle growth is currently extremely unlikely. However, in developing ways of triggering stem cell activation to further aid those with muscle degeneration, it may be that some stem cell technologies cross over to the cosmetic medical field and could be used in such a fashion without an injury being required.

Myasthenia Gravis and Stem Cells

Other muscular conditions, such as myasthenia gravis (MG), are currently being investigated for their response to stem cell treatments. Myasthenia gravis can be neonatal, congenital, or autoimmune and affects around 25,000 Americans. A trial using autologous haematopoietic stem cells for MG is actively recruiting participants as part of a Phase I study to assess the safety of treatment, with Phase II and III trials hopefully to follow (NCT00424489). Researchers in the Netherlands are also recruiting participants for a Phase I trial of stem cell treatment using bone marrow transplants for those with partial denervation of arm muscle following brachial plexus injury (NCT00755586).

Brachial Plexus Injury and Stem Cells

Brachial plexus injury can occur in childbirth, through repetitive microtrauma, and through acute injury often sustained in contact sports such as football, or rugby. Conservative treatment may suffice to reduce inflammation and encourage nerve healing, with nerve grafts used occasionally and muscle/tendon transfers sometimes allowing patients to regain functional arm movement. Where long-term denervation has occurred the muscle becomes atrophied, fibrotic, and the number of satellite cells present declines further exacerbating muscle wasting. The clinical trial underway in the Netherlands is focusing on safety of the stem cell treatment, rather than the improvement of function, and the scientists are looking for evidence of non-muscle tissue formation like inflammatory cells or connective tissue formation in the transplanted muscles. Observations will however also be taken in terms of functional and morphological improvement of the m. biceps brachii and may encourage further research in muscle regeneration after trauma using stem cell therapy.

Read On –> Muscular Dystrophy
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