Respiratory diseases are a class of illnesses that affect the lungs and breathing. These diseases can range from mild to severe, including simple conditions such as asthma and bronchitis to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and weariness are all symptoms of respiratory disorders. Respiratory disorders can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, but particular groups, such as smokers, people with compromised immune systems and those exposed to pollutants or allergens, are especially vulnerable.
Stem Cell treatment has shown promising results in treating respiratory disorders by regenerating damaged lung tissue and decreasing inflammation. stem cell treatment can differentiate into several types of lung cells such as mucus producing cells, those that aid in gas exchange (ALVEOLA) and those that contribute in the immunological response. In patients with respiratory disorders such as COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, stem cell therapy has been demonstrated to improve lung function, reduce inflammation, and improve quality of life.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease that gets worse over time and makes it difficult for the patient to breathe, similar to chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These conditions cause inflammation and damage to the air sacs (Alveola), which makes it difficult to breathe, causing coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. There are several causes of COPD including smoking and inhalation of other pollutants such as dust, smog, and chemical fumes.
Until promising Stem Cell therapy was made available COPD was thought to be irreversible. There is no effective or curative treatment and the main goals of COPD management are to mitigate symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life. Stem cell-based therapy offers a promising therapeutic approach to COPD that has shown potential in diverse degenerative lung diseases. Preclinical studies have demonstrated encouraging outcomes of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) therapy for lung disorders including emphysema, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
We at SCHI offer a very comprehensive approach using mesenchymal stem cells and deploying them in various different modalities including Intravenous Infusion (IV) as well as through nebulization, ensuring direct exposure of the stem cells to the lungs. We take particular precaution in preventing the patient’s immune system from attacking the stem cells, which can happen readily in the lungs.
Pulmonary fibrosis belongs to a family of diseases called interstitial lung disease, all of which cause lung scarring. When the lung tissue scars it becomes thick and stiff, interfering with a person’s ability to breath. Sometimes the cause for the fibrosis can be found, but when it can’t, the disease is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Some of the most common causes for PF are: some viral infections, smoking, environmental pollutants, certain medicines, GERD and genetic factors. There is no cure for this disease. Treatments are focused on preventing further scarring of the lung tissue and better quality of life and medication mostly on preventing inflammation. Some of the treatments available are oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and in some cases a lung transplant.
In recent years more and more studies have shown that stem cell treatment with mesenchymal stem cells will slow down the progression and help regeneration of the lungs in PF and IPF. In clinical trials, particularly for IPF-the lethal form of the disease – 6 months follow up appointments and testing have demonstrated improvement in walking distance, reduced shortness of breath, diminished need for oxygen and forced vital capacity.
[Quoted from the website of the National Emphysema Foundation]
A new study published in Respiratory Research studied the impact of different mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment emphysema. Results indicate that lung and cardiovascular damage in research mice was reduced based on various types of MSC injections.
Researchers demonstrated that injection of adult mesenchymal stem cells in emphysema resulted in increased elastic fiber content and reduced alveolar-capillary membrane, which allowed for regeneration of damaged lung and cardiovascular tissue.
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