Further Advancements Treating Muscular Dystrophy With Stem Cells

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A number of scientists and researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have focused research and the thrust of their studies to treating muscular dystrophy. Scientists there have recently developed a process through which they have developed a pure source of muscular cell tissues which may prove useful in treating muscular dystrophy as well as other muscle related diseases.
While these experiments have been limited to the mice population, results are encouraging and may lead to a cell-based therapy for patients suffering from muscular dystrophy. Nearly a quarter of a million people in the United States suffer from some type of muscular dystrophy, and the most well-known form is called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which afflicts mostly children. According to the researchers at the University of Texas, the embryonic stem cells may be very important in the process of reversing the physical and debilitating effects of muscular dystrophy. Because of their ability to transform into bone, cartilage, or muscle tissues, treatment advances may produce a cure sooner rather than later.

While the studies are encouraging, many years of research and development will be necessary before any such techniques can be applied or tested on humans. It is hoped that the development of such treatments may be generated through the use of non-embryonic stem cells. Reprogramming skin cells to become pluripotent stem cells would reduce both ethical issues surrounding research, as well as rejection issues that are one of the main disadvantages of any type of transplant procedure.

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