British scientists have developed a stem cell treatment that could dramatically boost the body’s ability to repair itself.
The treatment, which makes the bone marrow release a flood of stem cells into the bloodstream, could heal serious tissue damage caused by heart attacks and even repair broken bones.
Scientists already use stem cell therapy to treat leukaemia patients, getting the marrow to release a type of stem cell that can only make fresh blood cells.
Recently, British researchers say in a study published in the American Journal Cell that they have found a way to get the bone marrow to release two other types of stem cell that can repair bone, blood vessels and cartilage.
The bone marrow of treated mice released 100 times as many stem cells, which help to regenerate tissue.
Researchers hope that by releasing extra stem cells, we could potentially call up extra numbers of whichever stem cells the body needs, in order to boost its ability to mend itself and accelerate the repair process.
t now seems increasingly likely that the bone marrow also contains cells that have the capacity to repair damaged internal organs, such as the heart and blood vessels.
