Stem Cells from Fat Outperform Those from Bone Marrow in Fighting Disease

Durham, NC (PRWEB) May 21, 2013

A new study appearing in the current issue of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine indicates that stem cells harvested from fat (adipose) are more potent than those collected from bone marrow in helping to modulate the bodys immune system.

The finding could have significant implications in developing new stem-cell-based therapies, as adipose tissue-derived stem cells (AT-SCs) are far more plentiful in the body than those found in bone marrow and can be collected from waste material from liposuction procedures. Stem cells are considered potential therapies for a range of conditions, from enhancing skin graft survival to treating inflammatory bowel disease.

Researchers at the Leiden University Medical Centers Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion in Leiden, The Netherlands, led by Helene Roelofs, Ph.D., conducted the study. They were seeking an alternative to bone marrow for stem cell therapies because of the low number of stem cells available in marrow and also because harvesting them involves an invasive procedure.

Adipose tissue is an interesting alternative since it contains approximately a 500-fold higher frequency of stem cells and tissue collection is simple, Dr. Roelofs said.

Moreover, Dr. Melief added, 400,000 liposuctions a year are performed in the U.S. alone, where the aspirated adipose tissue is regarded as waste and could be collected without any additional burden or risk for the donor.

For the study, the team used stem cells collected from the bone marrow and fat tissue of age-matched donors. They compared the cells ability to regulate the immune system in vitro and found that the two performed similarly, although it took a smaller dose for the AT-SCs to achieve the same effect on the immune cells.

When it came to secreting cytokines the cell signaling molecules that regulate the immune system the AT-SCs also outperformed the bone marrow-derived cells.

This all adds up to make AT-SC a good alternative to bone marrow stem cells for developing new therapies, Dr. Roelofs concluded.

Cells from bone marrow and from fat were equivalent in terms of their potential to differentiate into multiple cell types, said Anthony Atala, M.D., editor of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine and director of Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The fact that the cells from fat tissue seem to be more potent at suppressing the immune system suggest their promise in clinical therapies.

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The full article, Adipose tissue-derived multipotent stromal cells have a higher immunomodulatory capacity than their bone marrow-derived counterparts, can be accessed at http://www.stemcellstm.com.

About STEM CELLS Translational Medicine: STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE (SCTM), published by AlphaMed Press, is a monthly peer-reviewed publication dedicated to significantly advancing the clinical utilization of stem cell molecular and cellular biology. By bridging stem cell research and clinical trials, SCTM will help move applications of these critical investigations closer to accepted best practices.

About AlphaMed Press: Established in 1983, AlphaMed Press with offices in Durham, NC, San Francisco, CA, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, publishes two other internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals: STEM CELLS

Fighting a Hangover Reviewed by MD247

Tampa Florida (PRWEB) March 17, 2013

MD247 released the first in a series of holiday oriented reviews of health tricks and tips over the weekend. The MD247 reviews of supplemental health information are intended to put program members back on their feet in cases of a little too much revelry.

The first MD247 review of supplemental holiday health information hit the internet with a discussion of steps a person can take to avoid a hangover following St. Patricks Day. MD247 explained that there are readily available techniques that a person can employ before attending a party, in order to ensure a speedy recovery after the fun. The top trick to put a hangover on hold is to ensure that a party goer is sufficiently hydrated with any number of non-alcoholic beverages.

MD247 explained that physicians suggest that party goers try to drink water, soda and fruit juices without any additional sugar.

MD247 explained that if a party goer does not get enough fluids during the party, there are steps that one can employ the following morning. Favorite recommendations include a potassium replenishing banana and honey spiked milk shake. Additional MD247 reviewed recommendations included black coffee with lemon; apples; B-vitamins and chicken soup.

MD247 explained that it is best to avoid alcohol that is not clear, and it nipped the idea of using the hair of the dog to beat the hangover into submission.

Largo Florida based MD247.COM (MD247; MD/247; MD 247; M.D.247; MD-247) provides an affordable telemedicine supplement to existing healthcare services. MD247.COM telemedicine program members have unlimited telephone access to a nationwide medical support team, all with just a single phone call to the MD247.COM telemedicine Talk to a Doctor/Talk to a Nurse Hotline. MD247.COM has a virtual platoon of registered nurses; board certified physicians and a support staff available to members for all non-emergency situations. MD247.COM believes in Better Business Bureau reviews, and encourages frequent reviews of customer care policies by customers with our staff. More information about MD247.COM is available online at http://www.md247.com.