Main Causes of MS

A small study on the use of stem cells obtained from a patient’s own fat tissue in the treatment of multiple sclerosis has shown promising results. The three case studies support further clinical evaluation of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune conditions.

Thomas Ichim and Dr. Boris Minev worked with a team of researchers to demonstrate the possible effectiveness of SVF cells in multiple sclerosis treatment. Minev said, “All three patients in our study showed dramatic improvement in their condition after the course of SVF therapy. While obviously no conclusions in terms of therapeutic efficacy can be drawn from these reports, this first clinical use of fat stem cells for treatment of multiple sclerosis supports further investigations into this very simple and easily-implementable treatment methodology”.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition, in which the body’s own defenses attack nerve cells, resulting in loss of their fatty myelin sheath. The first symptoms usually occur in young adults, most commonly in women. It is believed that SVF cells, and other stem cells, may be able to treat multiple sclerosis by limiting the immune reaction and promoting the growth of new myelin. According to Minev, “None of the presently available multiple sclerosis treatments selectively inhibit the immune attack against the nervous system, nor do they stimulate regeneration of previously damaged tissue. We’ve shown that SVF cells may fill this therapeutic gap”.

The researchers provided the SVF treatment to three patients with multiple sclerosis. The first had suffered frequent painful seizures for the previous three years; after treatment he reported that the seizures had stopped completely and that he had seen significant improvements in his cognition and a reduction of spasticity in his arms and legs. The second patient reported improvements in his sense of balance and coordination, as well as an improved energy level and mood. The final patient had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1993. After SVF treatment in 2008, his gait, balance and coordination improved dramatically over a period of several weeks. According to Minev, “His condition continued to improve over the next few months and he is currently reporting a continuing improvement and ability to jog, run and even bicycle”.

References:

1. Neil H Riordan, Thomas E Ichim, Wei-Ping Min, Hao Wang, Fabio Solano, Fabian Lara, Miguel Alfaro, Jeorge P Rodriguez, Robert J Harman, Amit N Patel, Michael P Murphy and Boris Minev. Non-Expanded Adipose Stromal Vascular Fraction Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis .Journal of Translational Medicine.