Despite advances in clinical management, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in America. While cardiomyocytes retain limited plasticity following maturation, the heart is grossly unable to recover from structural damage. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, through its promise of repair and regeneration of cardiac tissue, represents an exciting avenue of treatment for a range of cardiovascular diseases. MSCs are relatively immunoprivileged, lacking both major histocompatibility II and T-cell co-stimulatory signal expression, and possess the unique ability to home into sites of myocardial damage when delivered systemically. Additionally, they have been shown to provide therapeutic benefit via several distinct mechanisms, the most important of which appears to be the abundant secretion of paracrine factors that promote local regeneration. In light of this, several groups have sought to precondition MSCs, using various molecular and genetic means, in order to enhance viability and growth factor secretion in the heart, following transplantation. Here, we analyze and integrate information from recent MSC studies, focusing on underlying mechanisms of MSC-associated repair in animal models of cardiac disease. Additionally, MSC pretreatment studies are organized here to examine their relative effectiveness and potential for clinical use. Data emerging from ongoing human clinical trials are also evaluated … Continue reading →

Regenerative medicine physicians at Minnesota Regenerative Medicine are among only a few in the region to offer stem cell treatments to relieve pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic tendinitis. Stem Cell therapy at Minnesota Regenerative Medicine refers to the use of an adult patients own stem cells, which are derived from the patients own adipose tissue or bone marrow. During the stem cell harvesting procedure, surgeons use either manual liposuction to extract stem cells from the patients adipose tissue or needle aspiration placed in the pelvic bone to extract stem cells from the patients bone marrow. These stem cells, also called mesenchymal stem cells, are responsible for regenerating and rebuilding the body. Once isolated and concentrated, the stem cells are then injected into the patients damaged joint or tendon using real time fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance to ensure proper placement. A stem cell treatment represents a complex process that involves multiple steps and takes several hours to perform. Because the stem cell therapy uses the patients own cells, there is no chance of rejection. At Minnesota Regenerative Medicine, strict FDA guidelines in the use of stem cells are followed, and at no time are stem cells manipulated, … Continue reading →

Home Prolotherapy News Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Regeneration In this article Ross Hauser, MD discusses research that showsthat stem cell injection therapywill aid in the repair ofarticular cartilageandmeniscus tears and that the treatment relieves symptoms of stiffness,pain, disability, and inability to walk as commonly reported by our patients. Stem Cell Knee Repair: Your surgeons may be anxiously waiting the ability and training to offer stem cellduring surgery- here is the proof: Editorial January 2016 The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery a publication of theArthroscopy Association of North America. we are believers in stem cell therapy and stem cells have substantial potential to allow 21st century physicians and surgeons to achieve unprecedented tissue healing and repair. Again, additional research is needed to prove the long-term outcomes and the actual cost to society of stem cell treatment for focal defects of the knee. We do believe that it is only a matter of time before the harvesting and growth of stem cells will become cost-effective and commercially available and will be added to our treatment options for restoration of articular cartilage.1 Doctors have long noted that there are limited treatment options for tissue restoration and the prevention … Continue reading →