People with cardiovascular problems have a greater chance of surviving with the new study being conducted on growing “master” heart cells that are believed to repair damaged cardiac tissues.
Although the study is in its initial testing and has been found successful in mice with heart function problems, it is expected to have the same results when tested in humans. As this happens, millions of people around the globe suffering from all sorts of heart problems will be given hope with these test-tube made stem cells.
With the advent of this undertaking, the worst cases of heart diseases will surely be benefited by this discovery. What makes this study interesting is that the production of the embryonic stem cells may no longer need a living donor for possible transplants since functional heart tissues can be created in a laboratory.
According to a team of researchers from the U.S., Canada and UK spearheaded by Dr. Gordon Keller of the Department of Gene and Cell Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, they already have grown three types of human heart cells.
They have successfully created embryonic stem cells by the fusion of the essential cell types necessary and other growth factor elements. They cultured the tissues and grew them with a specified heat temperature. The experiment showed significant results when the cultured heart cells were transplanted to the mice with heart ailment.
Essentially, the heart consists of distinct cell types such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. These are all important tissues in the proper functioning of the heart. When one of these is lacking or damaged, certainly the heart will not function well. With the recent findings, the researchers are crossing their fingers that the results would soon be viable once tested to humans with degenerating heart functions.
Although the study of Keller and his colleagues may sound very promising, in-depth studies should be conducted to be more specific on the stem cell preparation that each ailing patient may be needing. Everything should be precise and patients should never be guinea pigs to whatever miscalculations that these doctors might have in the process.
Via: webmd
Comments
What happened to those tests they conducted on mice that grew ears on their backs? I was recently watching a show where they attempted to grow a nose on a ladies arm, although it failed because of her genes, it was still pretty cool. I wonder if I could grow a new leg.
I wonder how many patients get out the OR after having their hearts operated. I watched a film on bloodless surgery, and I feel like patients would no longer get up the bed after. If doctors can do nothing at all, life can be lost, and health insurance plan can only cover hospitalization, not life. This actually is giving me nightmares for my grandfather is scheduled for a heart operation next week. I can’t afford losing him.