In recent years, stem cell therapy has become a promising and advanced scientific research topic. Stem-cell therapy utilizes the body’s natural healing mechanism to treat or prevent a disease or condition.
For decades, researchers have tried to use stem cells to benefit heart disease patients. But the research has focused on treating patients after heart attacks, hoping the cells would rebuild a damaged heart. However, the trials have shown that it doesn’t work.
Now, a new study shows the first glimmer of hope for patients with heart disease
The largest cell therapy trial to date in patients with chronic heart failure conducted by the physician-scientists at The Texas Heart Institute showed that it dramatically reduced the risk of stroke or recurrent heart attack, especially in patients with high levels of inflammation. Although just a one-time treatment of cells didn’t keep heart failure patients out of the hospital.
In the study of 565 heart failure patients with a weakened heart muscle, half were given high doses of mesenchymal stem cells and the other half a placebo procedure. The therapy involved injecting mesenchymal precursor cells into the heart. Mesenchymal precursor cells have anti-inflammatory properties.
Patients with heart failure get better when given mesenchymal stem cells
Researchers observed that stem cells are best at reducing inflammation around the heart, which continues to damage its function.
Patients who received stem cell therapy had a 58% reduced risk of heart attack or stroke, and for those with high levels of inflammation, the risk reduction rose to 75%.
