How are the stem cells given?
Most infants and small children are given the stem cells via a subcutaneous injection into the tissues adjacent
to the belly button. Older children and adults are typically given stem cells by IV drip (A process that lasts about 20 minutes)
Why is a subcutaneous injection used on most children, and an IV approach in most adults?
Many years of injecting cells subcutaneously near the umbilicus (belly button) has shown that this method
does produce notable results. It appears the cells migrate slowly out from the injection site and enter the circulation –
over a period of hours and even days. Since an IV approach is not always easily done on some patients – especially infants
and small children – the "subQ" approach is routinely employed on these patients.
In older patients – as well as some children – direct introduction of the cells into the circulation
via IV is used. There are some neurological conditions for which a direct infusion of cells into the circulatory system is
deemed the best approach to treating the patient.
The use of a subcutaneous, IV or combination route is decided by Dr. Morales based on his clinical judgment
and past stem cell patient responses.
What’s the soonest people have reported seeing improvement or other change following hUCSC therapy?
Some have noticed changes within as little as one hour following treatment. For example, Dr. Morales treated
a small child with cerebral palsy using hUCSCs in his clinic in Progreso, Mexico. The child went to sleep almost as fast as
the cells went in (SubQ), then perked up within 30 minutes and began moving her head and arms in ways she never had been able
to do previously. The effect persisted (No regression). However, most people will not see changes for at least three weeks
but usually the beneficial results begin to appear between the third and sixth month after treatment.
What’s the average length of time until some improvement or such is seen (If there is going to be any)?
Patients typically report noting changes around the 3rd to 4th week after treatment.
What’s the longest period from treatment until something was noted?
A few patients have reported change first being seen or manifest at 9 to 12 months following treatment.
As a rule of thumb, when are most of the changes that will take place (if any) seen?
Most major changes are seen during the first 180 days following treatment. They plateau and then diminish
over time, although some patients report seeing benefits cropping up more than 1 year following a single treatment.
In the case of those patients who saw results almost from the moment the cells entered their bodies, how
can the stem cells work that fast?
There is no way the cells could engraft, differentiate and begin "doing their thing" in a matter of minutes
– or hours. It is felt that the initial results are attributable to growth factors present in the liquid that houses
the stem cells. Also, the cells themselves may "provoke" the body to create growth factors and other compounds that foster
healing and better function.
Is it stem cells becoming new neurons which underlie reported healing and recovery? Or something else?
First of all umbilical cord stem cells almost immediately after injection begin to produce a specific growth
factor (GDNF=glial derived growth factor) which has the power to rescue neurons from a lack of oxygen such as what happens
when the person has a stroke or traumatic brain injury. This GDNF activity can rescue up to 60-70 % of dying neurons if given
soon after the injury. In later stages and in younger patients such as those suffering from cerebral palsy, one type of stem
cells has a tendency to become "white matter cells". These cells make up the "wiring" that connects one neuron to the next
and to the muscles of the body. When you look at a cross section of the brain the white matter makes up about 60% of the brain’s
inner volume. The gray matter is the neurons which are spread over the surface of the brain.
By looking at the MRI or CT scans of the brain, it is often possible to determine which type of stem cell
or combination of stem cells should be used for a particular patient. This is because the CD34+CD133+ cells tend to become
white matter (glia cells) and blood vessels while the neural progenitor cells tend to become neurons.
Besides rescuing dying tissues by the action of GDNF, they also save cells by a process called "cell fusion".
In this method, the stem cells seek out sick and dying cells and melt their body into the dying cells body. This combo cell
winds up with the vitality of the stem cell including its cell nucleus. Many cells thus may have two whole sets of chromosomes
– a condition called a diploid state (twice the normal numbers of chromosomes). These diploid cells have been studied
and have been found to be stable for many years and do not cause cancer or other problems.
How do the stem cells know where to go in the body?
Stem cells home in on specific chemical signals given off by injured, damaged or diseases tissues or organs.
What can be done if the injury or condition is old and may not be producing these signals?
When these signals are weak they require intervention to increase their numbers (Amplification). This is
done in several ways as a prelude to stem cell therapy. Steenblock Research Institute’s director, physician David
A. Steenblock has pioneered ways to amplify these chemical signals. This body of work forms the heart of a pre-stem
cell treatment program that is offered as a comprehensive 3 to 35 day outpatient program, through the auspices of his private
practice in Mission Viejo, California www.strokedoctor.com 1-800-300-1063.
