Cord Blood and Mannitol Improves Cerebral Palsy in Rats

Posted by Lauren Fritsky in Current Events, Research, Therapy and Treatments on June 18, 2010

A recent study on lab rats with cerebral palsy shows some promise for injecting the sugar-alcohol compound mannitol into human umbilical cord blood cells to reverse effects of the disease.

Researchers said the human umbilical cord blood encouraged behavioral recovery in the animals when used alone, but its use in conjunction with mannitol better improved functional activity, according to the study led by the University of South Florida published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.. The mannitol was able to work through the blood-brain blockade by temporarily shrinking the endothelial cells comprising the barrier.

By ALICIA CHANG, AP Science Writer Alicia Chang, Ap Science Writer

LOS ANGELES – Dozens of people who were blinded or otherwise suffered severe eye damage when they were splashed with caustic chemicals had their sight restored with transplants of their own stem cells — a stunning success for the burgeoning cell-therapy field, Italian researchers reported Wednesday.

The treatment worked completely in 82 of 107 eyes and partially in 14 others, with benefits lasting up to a decade so far. One man whose eyes were severely damaged more than 60 years ago now has near-normal vision.

"This is a roaring success," said ophthalmologist Dr. Ivan Schwab of the University of California, Davis, who had no role in the study — the longest and largest of its kind.

Cord Blood America (OTC BB: CBAI) is the stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells to families nationwide and internationally. This clipping service will keep you up-to-date on accomplishments in this important health arena.

Cord blood transplants a viable option in leukemia

Julie Steenhuysen
CHICAGO
Tue Jun 15, 2010

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Adult patients with leukemia fare just as well when they get stem cell transplants taken from a cord blood bank as they do from a well-suited adult donor, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday. They said umbilical cord transplants are a viable option for adults with leukemia who urgently need a bone marrow transplant to replace cells destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation treatments, but cannot find a donor.

Cord Blood America (OTC BB: CBAI) is the stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells to families nationwide and internationally. This clipping service will keep you up-to-date on accomplishments in this important health arena.

Published on EmpowHER - Women's Health Online (www.empowher.com )