Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis in Guatemala

Multiple sclerosis causes the body’s immune system to attack the myelin sheath. This destroys the communication of neurons and messages from the brain are distorted, slowed or altogether stopped. This is what causes the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

The symptoms are characterized by attacks or relapses which can last from a day to several months. If nerve fibers are completely destroyed multiple sclerosis progresses and there is an increase in disability.

Common complications of multiple sclerosis includes:

• Tingling
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Problems with walking and balance
• Numbness
• Changes in vision
• Impaired thinking
• Stuttering
• Slurred speech
• Poor muscle coordination
• Impaired understanding
• Emotional changes such as depression
• Sexual problems

Stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis patients is designed to target the myelin sheath. This is achieved by introducing adult mesenchymal stem cells past the blood brain barrier. The stem cells differentiate and repair the myelin sheath nerve cells in a process known as remyelination.

Moreover, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells repair the immune system and keep it from attacking itself in a process known as immunomodulation.

The two processes, remyelination, and immunomodulation are what doctors use to help improve the quality of lives for multiple sclerosis patients.

Multiple sclerosis is treated with adult stem cells known as allogenic mesenchymal stem cells. These are harvested from human umbilical cords that are donated after healthy and normal births. Donor mothers are tested for infectious diseases and their medical history is screened. The donated umbilical cords are then thoroughly tested and screened to find the best cells which have the best immune modulating capacity, anti-inflammatory activity and ability to stimulate regeneration.

Advantages of using allogenic human umbilical cord tissue (HUCT) DERIVED MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS

HUCT mesenchymal stem cells are not recognized by the body’s immune system as foreign and therefore are not rejected. This eliminates the need for Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) matching.

The best stem cell can be selected through a screening process, which ensures that cells have the best ability to stimulate regeneration, have the immune modulating capacity and anti-inflammatory activity.

The umbilical cord provides mesenchymal stem cells in abundance

Allogenic stem cells can be administered over several days in dosages that are uniform and have high cell counts.

How does a typical treatment protocol look like?

HUCT stem cells are usually administered by a licensed doctor intravenously. A typical treatment protocol involves:

• Medical evaluation and blood tests
• 6 intravenous (IV) injections of HUCT derived mesenchymal stem cells
• 4 perilymphatic injection of HUCT derived mesenchymal stem cells
• Physical therapy sessions

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) usually uses the patient’s own bone marrow for regeneration of stem cells.

A patient first goes through chemotherapy to strip them of their bone marrow. The bone marrow is then purified and retrained to prevent attacking the body of the patient body and replaced. Once regeneration of the cells is complete they are placed into the patient.

• To reverse disability
• To stop the disease from progressing