Adult Stem Cells May Help Repair Muscle Cells Damaged by Heart Attack

Posted on 2009-12-18 06:00:00 in Cardio-Vascular | Stem Cell |

Adult stem cells may help repair heart tissue damaged by heart attack according to the findings of a Phase I study completed by Gary L. Schaer, from Rush University Medical Center  (Illinois, USA), and colleagues,.  The study demonstrates that stem cells from donor bone marrow appear to help heart attack patients recover better by growing new blood vessels to bring more oxygen to the heart. Researchers say it is the strongest evidence thus far indicating that adult stem cells can actually differentiate into heart cells to repair damage. The team observes that: “The results point to a promising new treatment for heart attack patients that could reduce mortality and lessen the need for heart transplants.”

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Joshua M. Hare, Jay H. Traverse, Timothy D. Henry, Nabil Dib, Robert K. Strumpf, Steven P. Schulman, Gary Gerstenblith, Anthony N. DeMaria, Ali E. Denktas, Roger S. Gammon, James B. Hermiller, Jr, Mark A. Reisman, Gary L. Schaer, Warren Sherman.  “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Escalation Study of Intravenous Adult Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Prochymal) After Acute Myocardial Infarction.”  J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., December 8, 2009; 54: 2277 - 2286. “Study Results Suggest Adult Stem Cells May Help Repair Muscle Cells Damaged by Heart Attack,” Rush University Medical Center, December 02, 2009, http://www.rush.edu/webapps/MEDREL/servlet/NewsRelease?id=1321.

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