Stem Cells Versus Peripheral Artery Disease

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Via EurekAlert!: "Bone marrow stem cells suspended in X-ray-visible microbubbles dramatically improve the body's ability to build new blood vessels in the upper leg - providing a potential future treatment for those with peripheral arterial disease or PAD ... They offer a future novel method to help PAD patients by increasing the number of blood vessels to replace or augment those choked off by plaque buildup ... With this treatment, the body was able to provide a more normal blood supply to the toes - possibly offering the hope of dramatically reducing - or avoiding - amputation. ... Because many treatments like stenting are done using X-rays, this microbubble stem cell treatment could be performed when an interventional radiologist is performing a dye study to look at a patient's arteries. Since an interventional radiologist can see where he or she puts the stem cells and whether they remain in the leg, the stem cells could be administered potentially where they can do the most good. The treatment could be repeated, if needed. ... researchers used a technique that encloses stem cells derived from bone marrow (not embryonic stem cells) in an alginate capsule or microbubble made from seaweed that contains stem cells to create factors to recruit the building of new vessels along with an X-ray-visible contrast agent. Tested [in rabbits], the bubble prevents the body's immune system from reaching and attacking the transplanted cells."

Link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-03/soir-scb030410.php