Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

Stems Cells from Menstrual Blood Help Treat Damaged Womb Tissue

by VR Sreeraman on November 16, 2007 at 1:34 PM
Stems Cells from Menstrual Blood Help Treat Damaged Womb Tissue

A scientist in Wichita, Kansas, has claimed that he has identified a new type of stem cell that can be reproducibly isolated from menstrual blood collected from healthy female subjects.

"We have many problems with our current methods of stem cell therapy, like those taken from bone marrow. They may be rejected by the recipient and/or have limited potential to generate new tissue. Now we've found a possible new way to overcome these difficulties by using cells from menstrual blood," said Dr. Xiaolong Meng of the Bio-Communications Research Institute in Wichita, Kansas.

Advertisement

Cells collected from the menstrual blood of women include types which can be cultured in the laboratory, which replicate almost 70 times in a very rapid time span. This replication rate is far faster than cells, which are currently used, taken from umbilical cord blood and bone marrow.

Meng's study has found that cells that thicken the womb wall during a woman's menstrual cycle contain a newly discovered type of stem cell, which might be used in the treatment of damaged and/or old womb tissue.
Advertisement

The cells are so unique in their ability to develop into at least nine different cells, including heart, liver and lung, that researchers call Endometrial Regenerative Cells (ERC). Not only do ERC replicate at a phenomenal rate of almost every 20 hours, but they also they produce unique growth factors at a rate of almost 100,000 greater than cells from umbilical cord blood.

A mere 5ml of menstrual blood collected from a healthy woman provided enough cells which after two weeks of culture provided beating heart cells.

The researchers suggest that the cells could be cultured at a large scale, thereby providing an alternative to the current methods of using bone marrow and umbilical cord blood, which itself poses threats of rejection.

The study is published in the Journal of Translational Medicine.

Source: ANI
LIN/P
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Genetics & Stem Cells News

Early-Stage Stem Cell Trial for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Among MS patients, the stem cells showed a neuroprotective role, guarding nerve cells from further decline.
Human Genetics Unravels Mysteries of Digestive Disorders
New possibilities for research on digestive diseases have been set by complete decoding of the Y chromosome.
World's First CRISPR-Based Gene Therapy for Blood Disorders
UK has given the green light to the world's inaugural gene therapy for sickle-cell disease and thalassemia.
Genotype Linked to Short-Lifespan Affects 1 in 25 People
1 in 25 people had a genotype linked to short lifetime, which includes BRCA2 and LDLR genes, that reduced lifespan by seven years, and six years respectively.
Is Stem Cell Therapy a Breakthrough for Reversing Osteoarthritis?
The study findings help redefine osteoarthritis as a reversible loss of key cartilage stem cells, not just 'wear and tear'."
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Stems Cells from Menstrual Blood Help Treat Damaged Womb Tissue Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests