Study Examines Effectiveness of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from the Umbilical Cord in Treating Liver Cirrhosis
Researchers are always looking for new ways to apply the technology. They hope to use stem cells in the treatment of a wider range of diseases, injuries and conditions. A recent study examines the effectiveness of cord blood in the treatment of liver cirrhosis.
Liver cirrhosis is the final phase of liver disease, a scarring of the liver for which there is currently no cure. Cirrhosis can be caused by Hepatitis C and alcohol abuse, but several cases have been documented as idiopathic.
As part of the study, patients with liver cirrhosis were infused with Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells via the hepatic artery, which pumps blood to the liver. Male and female patients from age 18 to 70 were accepted in the study, in order to obtain well-rounded results.
The main objective of the study is to test the effectiveness of MSC stem cells in treating liver cirrhosis, but researchers also set some secondary goals. The first of these is to monitor the reduction of abdominal dropsy, a build-up of fluid that commonly accompanies liver disease. The third objective of the study is to monitor the improvement of symptoms, which include loss of appetite, edema and abdominal distention.