STEM CELLS
WITH DR. MOK
THE STEM CELL REVOLUTION:
A Conversation
WHAT IS THE STEM CELL REVOLUTION?
First, let’ s talk about adult stem cells versus embryonic stem cells.
Adult stem cells are cells in our bodies that we have in abundance that are designed to replace our existing cells as they die. Yes, your cells die naturally multiple times throughout your life, and you have a backup supply of stem cells to replace them. For decades, the most understood stem cells have been bone marrow stem cells, where doctors have been doing bone marrow stem cell transplants for decades. But more on that later.
The importance of embryonic stem cells was first brought to light around 1998. By their nature, embryonic stem cells could potentially be used to grow organs. Since the embryo grows into a baby, perhaps an embryonic stem cell could be used to grow a replacement heart. This thought process led to an ethical battle on the use of embryos for something other than their natural intended purpose, which is to grow into another human being.
But as with all science, obstacles lead to other solutions, and scientists learned how to make adult stem cells( which the human body has in plentiful supply) behave more like embryonic stem cells.
IT TURNS OUT THAT WE DON’ T NEED EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS
In 2002, scientists at the University of California-Los Angeles discovered that although the bone marrow in adults has an abundance of stem cells, our own fat has about five hundred times more stem cells per teaspoon than bone marrow. And just as important, it is much easier to obtain.
Since that discovery, what we call adipose-derived adult mesenchymal stem cells have come to the center stage. The inherent limitation of bone marrow stem cells is that they are hard to get to and getting to them causes discomfort. Working with fat-derived stem cells is just more practical and we have far more of them.
Fat-derived stem cells are immature cells that can turn into various types of cells, such as bone, muscle, cartilage and of course, fat. They are related to other cells and can potentially be manipulated into becoming organ cells and nerve cells.
Currently, the most commonly researched area and most common use for fat-derived stem cells is for relief of joint damage due to arthritis. Numerous studies have shown that when the stem cells are removed and processed from a person’ s own fat and then transferred into arthritic joints, that the person’ s symptoms improve. The vast majority of individuals who undergo this treatment experience pain relief.
The fat-derived stem cells also appear to improve autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis and lupus.
THE PROCESS
After a consultation with a doctor, tests may be needed, and you will be advised if you may be a candidate for stem cell therapy.
If so, the process works as follows: Your skin is cleaned with an antiseptic and a tiny hole is made after full numbing. A thin tube is inserted into your fat compartment( it can be taken from anywhere you want— a great opportunity to get rid of a little fat!) and about 3 – 7 tablespoons worth of fat is removed.
An enzyme is added to the fat and it is allowed to incubate so that the fat cells will separate from the stem cells. Since the fat cells are the lightest cells in the body, they will rise and the stem cells will fall, kind of like beer foam and beer. The solution is put in a centrifuge, and the stem cells make a tiny bead at the bottom of the test tube. Those are your own, fat-derived stem cells.
HOW ARE THEY USED?
For arthritis, your fat-derived stem cells are put into a syringe. Your skin is numbed, a needle is placed in the problem joint and the stem cells are injected.
For heart failure, brain or neurologic disease, autoimmune disease and other
28 WINTER 2017