Leipzig: My Body Cord blood stem cells possess a high potential for the treatment of congenital heart defects, diabetes type 1 and neonatal brain damage. The current research results confirm that the symposium on “Stem cells from umbilical cord blood - important for the Neonatology” on the 24th Perinatalkongress in Berlin on 07 May were presented.

Prof. Dr. Simon Hoerstrup of the University of Zurich wants to use stem cells for children with congenital cardiac defects to be treated. Currently, in these cases bioprostheses or mechanical prostheses, which do not grow, calcify, and subsequent operations may be necessary.

Hoerstrups group was in large animal models show that it is possible, humane Herzklappenimplantatate with growth and regeneration potential connection. In bioreactors, the heart valves can be bred and trained six to eight weeks implanted. Long-term observations showed that these heart valves are not only the full functionality of a natural heart valve, but also grow with the animal.

And umbilical cord blood were loud Hoerstrup appropriate stem cell sources, in order to grow heart valves. To even before the birth and to heart valve in severe cases, immediately after the birth to be able to implant, which could stem from the amniotic fluid or chorionic villus sampling on a win. Hoerstrup announced for the end of 2009 to first clinical interventions.

Better long-term prognosis of type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, the most common chronic disease in childhood, is increasing in Western countries dramatically. Currently in Germany there are 15,000 infected children under 15 years. Although insulin therapy improves life expectancy of those affected, the children often suffer long-term consequences such as kidney, eye and nerve damage. The cost of treatment per child amounts to approximately 10,000 euros annually.

A new treatment approach might be the infusion of umbilical cord blood of their own, Dr. Petra Rauprich of Vita 34 representative for the Diabetes Research Group at the TU Munich presented. In a pilot study are currently in the U.S. and Germany 33 children with newly arisen type 1 diabetes with their own cord blood treated. The goal is the preservation of the remaining body’s own insulin-producing cells. First results from the USA show that the T cells in cord blood to a reduction of self-help. Furthermore, it was found that the blood glucose value was significantly reduced and the children were less insulin needed per day, as the body’s own insulin production was maintained.

First therapeutic attempt in Germany with autologous cord blood for child brain damage

Each year approximately 1,000 children suffer from lack of oxygen due to infection or a brain injury, often the worst physical and mental disabilities has been satisfied. Since about ten years, the group of Prof. Dr. Arne Jensen of the Ruhr-University Bochum in a stammzellbasierten therapy with cord blood for neonatal brain damage. In animal models, they could demonstrate that the stem cells in the injured brain region seems to immigrate here and by the release of messenger substances and growth factors to regenerate the damaged brain areas contribute to the injured animal consequently his motor skills gained back almost completely.

In January 2009 Jensen now treated in this way the first time in Germany two and a half year old boy, in consequence of a cardiac arrest a spastic cerebral palsy had suffered. The parents had their umbilical cord blood at birth precaution Vita 34 to be saved. Seven weeks after transplantation showed the previously tetraspastische constantly wimmernde Young significant improvements in motor function and behavior. He was able to eat independently, interacted with his environment, laughed and began to speak and walk. Jensen announced yet for this year a comprehensive study of neonatal brain damage.

Educating pregnant women is important
The new findings show that cord blood is a very good source of stem cells for regenerative therapy. In these cases, the autologous umbilical cord blood of the patient is always the first choice. Therefore, gynecologists Pregnant neutral and comprehensive information on these opportunities aufklären.Weitere information on press release:

The company was founded in 1997 by physicians in Leipzig and is the oldest and leading private umbilical cord blood bank in the German-speaking countries. To date, more than 60,000 parents decided to put the cord blood of their child Vita 34 in store for you.