Italian breakthrough could treat advanced muscular dystrophy
Italian scientists have developed a new cellular treatment that provides hope for people suffering from advanced forms of muscular dystrophy.
The team, led by Giulio Cossu of Milan University, has produced what it calls a kind of 'battering ram' cellular technique.
Tested successfully on mice, it works by demolishing obstacles that prevent existing treatments from functioning properly on patients with an advanced stage of the disease.
As wasting muscles ages, scarring occurs. This means the tissue hardens and is infiltrated by fat, preventing cellular treatments from reaching their underlying target, the muscle.
The 'battering-ram' cells are modified fibroplasts, Cossu explained.
Fibroplasts are the cells that usually produce and maintain tissue, providing a structural framework for tissues and aiding wound healing.
The modified cells are injected into muscles and start destroying the fibrous scar tissue that forms on the muscles of sufferers.
The 'battering-ram' cells reduce excess collagen deposits produced by scarring and restore a vascular network in the tissue.
Having dealt with the scar tissue, researchers are then able to treat the underlying problem using mesangioblasts, stem cells that help regenerate new muscular fibre by bonding with residual fibres.
Although mesangioblast treatments have been very successful in animals at an early stage of the disease, advanced sufferers have previously been unable to benefit because of the fibrous tissue created by scarring.
''With this pre-treatment we have managed to get a cellular treatment using mesangioblasts to work on mice at an advanced stage of this disease as well as on young mice,'' explained Cossu, who also heads the San Raffaele Stem Cell Institute in Milan.
However, he stressed that there were still technical problems to resolve and it would take some time before clinical trials of the dual treatment could start on humans.
Details of the new treatment will be reported in the next edition of the international monthly journal Nature Science.
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DMD/BMD
Please keep us updated on all advances in the treatment of DMD/BMD, our 8 year old has it, varified by blood tests and muscle biopsy at Childrens Hospital, Denver Colorado, USA.
dmd cure
please keep me posted on any new cures for duchenne muscular dystrophy which can reach india..the 2 victim brothers are of 14 and 12 yrs each , both of them are unable to walk but are really very brilliant.no cures were found on reaearching.i want them to have a chance to prove their skill in the society. but, this can only happen if they are cured and can have a chance for a lifetime..
Muscular Dystrophy
I have two (2) sons with muscular dystrophy. Ages 14 and 16. If I knew what I know now both would be walking. The 14 year old walks and attends school. My 16 year old is wheelchair bound. I give them creatine tabs, glutamine tabs, HGH (homeopathic) and a formula I get from over seas. www.md-tab.com. or www. Laritin.com It has inabled my 14 year old to continue to walk and my 16 year old to be healthy. I hope this helps.
for muscular dyustrophy
Aconite,India Atees
Its anti poisonous, used as tonic in any type of weakness, its antipyretic, can be given in powder form with honey or with water to cure fever. India atees stimulates the immune system, regulating cell function and cellular regeneration of damaged cells.
Its is also useful in related problem, muscular dystrophy.
Please contact me !!!!!!!
We have a 6 years old son with "Duchennes"
for muscular dystrophy
Aconite,India Atees
Its anti poisonous, used as tonic in any type of weakness, its antipyretic, can be given in powder form with honey or with water to cure fever. India atees stimulates the immune system, regulating cell function and cellular regeneration of damaged cells.
Its is also useful in related problem, muscular dystrophy.
for muscular dystrophy
Aconite,India Atees
Its anti poisonous, used as tonic in any type of weakness, its antipyretic, can be given in powder form with honey or with water to cure fever. India atees stimulates the immune system, regulating cell function and cellular regeneration of damaged cells.
Its is also useful in related problem, muscular dystrophy.
As a parrent to a DMD suffer
As a parrent to a DMD suffer we hang on to the smallest hope and the Italian research is best news for a long time. Our son turned 12 yesterday and this is normally a happy event, but for us also a day closer to the present unavoidable.
Our sons hope is: I wish the doctors could stop it getting worse. He doesnt ask to get out of the wheelchair, but is very scared of his future with occational pannic attachs.
As this only hits one in 5000 boys is seems to be hard to get political support for a full blown research.
We can't wait to hear more news from Italy.
With best regards and a large THANK YOU to the research-teams around the world, who try to save our and future kids.
Brian Nielsen, Gibraltar
Breakthrough for treatment of advanced muscular dystrophy
I really hope that this breakthrough leads to a solution quickly. My 14 year old nephew is suffering from the disease and has severe scoliosis. Doctors are contemplating an operation to place a rod in his back at the moment but are unsure as to whether he has sufficient lung capacity to withstand the trauma. He has recently undergone surgery for the replacement of the shunt that drains fluid from his brain also which has caused further complications. If anyone has any further knowledge or information about these procedures or the possibility of treatment to reverse this terrible disease I would love to hear from you.