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Stem Cells from Newborns Have a Three-fold Ability to Restore Heart Function

by Savitha C Muppala on Sep 14 2012 7:40 PM

 Stem Cells from Newborns Have a Three-fold Ability to Restore Heart Function
A new way to treat serious heart problems in children has been discovered by researchers at the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine.
This endeavor has been the first of its kind to compare the regenerative abilities of neonatal and adult-derived human cardiac stem cells.

Their study found that cardiac stem cells (CSCs) from newborns have immense potential to restore heart function to nearly normal levels as compared with adult cardiac stem cells.

Animal studies revealed that hearts treated with neonatal stem cells were more powerful in their pumping mechanism than those treated with adult cells.

"The surprising finding is that the cells from neonates are extremely regenerative and perform better than adult stem cells. We are extremely excited and hopeful that this new cell-based therapy can play an important role in the treatment of children with congenital heart disease, many of whom don't have other options," researchers said.



Source-Medindia


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