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Thursday, November 16, 2006RESULTS of an animal trial suggests that a comparatively simple treatment for devastating muscle wasting disorders may be possible. Italian scientists used a novel type of adult stem cell to treat 10 golden retrievers with the canine equivalent of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (MD), an untreatable and deadly genetic disease. The outcome was a “remarkable” improvement in the physical condition and mobility of the dogs, the team reported overnight in the journal Nature. Giulio Cossu - head of the Stem Cell Research Institute at Milan's University of Life and Health - and his colleagues claimed the results were so positive the cells, mesoangioblasts, should be used as the basis of a treatment for human patients. The cells - first identified by Professor Cossu's group - are found in small blood vessels and have the ability to not only make more copies of themselves, but to develop into muscle cells. Mesoangioblasts also travel through the blood stream to all parts of the body. They pass through blood vessel walls and attach to and repair damaged muscle tissue. In the animal trial, the team isolated mesoangioblasts from normal dogs and from those with MD. They then “corrected” the defective stem cells and injected both normal and rejigged stem cells into animals with Duchenne's. The dogs were treated five times at monthly intervals, and all improved. posted by Sydney on 11/16/2006 06:24:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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