Stem Cell Therapy for Liver Cirrhosis Treatment: Cell Types, Their Benefits And Trials
Failure of the liver to repair
itself results into a fatal condition known as liver cirrhosis, and presently
patients go through liver transplant to manage this condition. The causes of
this disease are many but cure is limited. In livercirrhosis, scar tissues take
the place of healthy tissues leading to improper functioning of the liver. Earlier
this condition was considered irreversible, but Stem Cell Therapy has
changed the fate of this condition, like many other degenerative disorders.
Several trials in this field have shown that using stem cells for Liver
Cirrhosis Treatment can be effective and even safe, but research is still
needed in this direction to prove complete safety and efficacy of Stem Cell
Therapy for Liver Cirrhosis Treatment.
Occurrence of liver cirrhosis
and basic theory behind the use of stem cells
Livercirrhosis happens when liver
fibrosis progresses and the injury persists overtime. In liver fibrosis,
hepatic architecture is distorted because of excessive collagen buildup. Now,
hepatocyte cells in an affected liver still have regenerative capabilities but
the disparity between fibrosis and regeneration leads to biochemical damage to
liver. The question that arises at this point is whether enhancing hepatocyte
cells can alone provide benefit to the patient, and whether this can solve the
problem of fibrotic tissue, which exists in huge numbers. The theory of Stem
Cell Therapy that the researchers are working on is to create a working
section by infusing stem cells that can restore the functions of the liver.
Use of different kind of cells
The use of stem cells for Liver
Cirrhosis Treatment depends on the benefits and drawbacks of different cell
types. Out of all the different kinds of stem cells used in Stem Cell Therapy, hematopoietic cells
are most widely used for trials. These are extracted from the bone marrow and
these can be derived from either cytokine mobilized or umbilical blood.
Although, such stem cells are considered restricted to cell lineages in
hematopoietic system but positive results achieved with these cells have made
them a preferable choice for Liver Cirrhosis Treatment. Mesenchymal stem
cells have of late attracted attention around the world due to their self
renewal characteristic. Trials have given evidence that these cells can
differentiate to become hepatocyte like stem cells making them another choice
for treating liver diseases. Researchers have also studied Hepatic Progenitor Cells,
which exist innately in liver. These cells can be extracted from blood of the
umbilical cord, so transplant of such cells have also been considered as an
option for treating liver failure.
Adipose tissue cells also a consideration
Stem cells derived from adipose
tissues have also been tested for Liver Cirrhosis Treatment. When
transplanted in animal models affected with severe liver injury, it has shown
improvement in functioning of the liver. Researchers have shown that stem cells
derived from adipose tissues were differentiated to become hepatocytes in a
period of a few days and these were also able to attain the functionalities of
human hepatocytes. After transplantation, indicators showing injury to the
liver like aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and even
ammonia reduced. This shows that such cells have special likeness to regenerate
in vivo and become hepatocyte cells in vitro.
Positive results shows
promising future
With all the positive results and
tests researchers can overcome the complications with traditional Liver Cirrhosis
Treatment. Less number of donors makes liver transplant a very
difficult affair, and this also a risk of immonusuppression and rejection in
liver transplant, but if effectiveness of Stem Cell Therapy based liver
cirrhosis is proved then this can be a great achievement in medical science. Scientists
are still testing stem cell based therapies on different parameter so that
these can be verified as completely safe for clinical application.
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