Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Applications
1) Orthopedics and Traumatology
Biological/ Stem Cell Therapies in Orthopaedics
- Cartilage problems
- Tendon injuries and tendinitis/tendinosis problems
- Applications in joint degenerations
- Applications in spinal problems
- Especially soft tissue problems in sports injuries
Cartilage and Degenerative Joint Diseases
Stem cell applications are making an extremely important progress in the field of orthopaedics, especially in cartilage problems. At this point, thanks to the regenerating cells obtained from the biopsy taken from the person's own tissue, cartilage formation is observed even in areas with almost zero cartilage. Thus, structural and functional regeneration becomes possible in the joint areas.
Tissue losses are very important both in our skeletal system and in our cartilages that allow our joints to move comfortably. Liv Hospital Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Production Centre can offer many treatment opportunities to replace these tissues. Especially in cartilage tissue losses, both the technique of producing cartilage from cartilage tissue and stem cell applications can be performed with the highest technology in GMP laboratories and implanted to patients.
2) Eye Diseases
In our daily life, our cells and tissues are renewed even if we are not aware of it. This renewal happens with the help of stem cells. Stem cells are necessary for the regeneration of tissues and replacement of lost cells in eye tissues as in all body tissues. This renewal, which continues in our daily life, can cause serious conditions that will affect eye health and vision in diseases that cause stem cell deficiency.
Stem cell damage occurs in diseases of genetic origin that cause stem cell deficiency in the cornea layer (transparent layer) in the eye, due to inappropriate contact lens use, radiotherapy, immunosuppressive treatments, various immunological eye diseases, chemical burns, some eye infections and severe eye allergies. Stem cell implantation is a method to be used in the treatment of these diseases.
Used in the Treatment of Eye Surface Diseases
Stem cells, which are grown and transplanted in the laboratory environment, provide corneal surface restoration and allow the restoration of visual function. Today, the transplantation of limbal cells is used in the treatment of ocular surface diseases, while studies are ongoing to use them in the treatment of congenital or age-related diseases of the retina.
Positive results are reported in animal studies. However, there are no controlled clinical trials on humans reporting successful results yet. However, it is expected that this method will be put into clinical practice in the near future.
3) Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery
In terms of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, stem cell applications can be evaluated in two main groups. The first of these is aesthetic applications. Stem cell applications have significant potential especially in the rejuvenation of the skin. Stem cell enriched fat injection applications are a more effective treatment method in removing the aged appearance of the face and hand skin.
The use of own tissues removes the patient from allergies and many similar side effects. Permanent effects cannot be achieved with fillers and similar substances. However, when compared with the person's own tissues both permanently and in quantity, it has the potential to achieve much more and more effective results.
Renews the Aging Area
The regenerator obtained from the person himself allows to renew the skin and aging areas. The process of this treatment takes place in 3 stages. Firstly, fat tissues are taken from the person by biopsy or liposuction method. The regenerating cells obtained from these tissues are refined and concentrated through various processes. Regenerating cells are injected into the appropriate areas according to the patient's needs, either alone or using natural cocktails.
Hope for Unhealed Wounds
The second application area in Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery is a group of diseases in which there are skin and subcutaneous tissue changes due to wounds that do not close, blood supply disorders or radiotherapy applications and medicine is really difficult. Stem cell applications have become a hope and last resort for these difficult clinical problems.
Regenerative cells obtained from the person himself/herself can also be used in cosmetics. These cells allow to renew the skin and aged areas.
The process of this treatment takes place in 3 stages:
a) Fat tissues are taken from the person by biopsy or liposuction method.
b) The regenerating cells obtained from these tissues are refined and concentrated through various processes.
c) Regenerating cells are injected into the appropriate areas according to the patient's needs, either alone or using natural cocktails.
Face and Body Filling (Anti-aging)
In fillers made with non-natural products such as implants, up to 70% reabsorption of the filler by the body occurs. However, with fillers made with the use of regenerating cells taken from the person's own body, this problem is minimised and a more permanent youthful appearance is achieved away from artificiality. Therefore, instead of repeated operations, one-time injections with regenerating cells are sufficient.
Treatment of Scars and Scars on the Skin
Regenerating cells obtained from the person's own body are used in the treatment of wounds and scars on the body and face, and the risk of allergic reactions afterwards is low. After the treatment, the deformed area can regain its lost natural structure.
Breast Reconstruction
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. In the process, which usually results in the removal of the patient's breast, cancerous tissue and lymph nodes under the breast, breast reconstruction is now performed using regenerating cells.
Burn Treatments
Severe burns, 3rd degree burns are one of the most challenging situations faced by plastic surgery. Liv Hospital Regenerative and Stem Cell Production and Application Centre performs regenerative cell applications to replace chronic burn tissues to ensure that the patient regains a healthy appearance.
4) Dermatology
Skin Renewal, Skin Rejuvenation
Stem cells are also used in the treatment of problems such as wrinkles, spotting and dull skin colour that occur with age. The aim of the treatment is based on the principle of repairing the tissue damaged with age and making it look younger. For this purpose, a 3mm punch biopsy is taken from the area that does not see the sun, such as behind the patient's ear, and younger fibroblasts belonging to the patient are produced in a special culture environment. Injections are made in a total of 3-4 sessions with 15-30 days intervals. The injection method is applied with the classical mesotherapy technique. No side effects of the application have been reported.
Acne Scars
Acne scars are a big problem for many women. There are few studies with autologous fibroblast injections in acne scars. Fibroblasts obtained by a similar method are applied in the form of dermal injections. Treatment can be performed in combination with applications such as laser and dermaroller.
5) Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases
Diabetic Foot Wounds
Diabetic foot wounds seen in 25 per cent of diabetic patients may result in finger or foot amputation in 8 per cent. In wound treatment, treatment of diabetic foot wound becomes possible thanks to the regenerating cells applied to the surgical site.
6) Cardiovascular Surgery
Ischaemic Limb Problems
Regenerative cells obtained from the person himself provide treatment for many diseases as well as vascular occlusions. In this disease, medication, ozone or high-pressure treatments are applied medically. In surgical intervention, amputation (cutting the area with vascular occlusion) or sympathectomy (cutting the sympathetic nerves) can be applied as a last resort. However, instead of these methods, regenerative cell applications emerge as a new and effective method to close the wound and restore circulation.
New Hopes
1) Urology
Tissue or organ loss due to chronic diseases is one of the most important areas where medicine has difficulty in treatment. In the last 10-15 years, successful results obtained in experimental animals have popularised the use of stem cells in the treatment of chronic diseases in humans. Preliminary stem cell studies in experimental animals in the field of urology raise hopes for human applications.
The most important feature that makes stem cell therapy attractive is that they can transform into the desired cells in the target tissue to which they are transferred. In addition, they can stimulate the production of certain substances that can regenerate dysfunctional cells in the tissues and organs to which they are transferred and provide repair of the tissue or organ.
First Application in Urinary Incontinence Disorders
In the field of urology, successful results have been obtained in experimental animals with the use of stem cells in diseases such as kidney diseases, urinary bladder disorders, urinary incontinence disorders, infertility, erectile dysfunction and acquired penile curvature. Among these disorders, the first application area in urological diseases in humans has been urinary incontinence disorders and very successful results have started to be obtained.
Stem cell applications in humans are expected to gain momentum in male infertility, erectile dysfunction and penile curvature. As Liv Urology Team, we are rapidly completing our preparations with Liv Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Department to realise our preliminary results, which we have obtained in experimental animal studies, especially in the field of erectile dysfunction and shared with the world literature, in humans. In a short time, we will be performing our clinical applications in parallel with those in developed countries.
2) Cardiology
Cardiovascular diseases and related heart attacks, which are among the most common diseases in the society, significantly impair the quality of life of patients. Stem cell transplantation is now used in the treatment of heart failure that develops after a heart attack. When a coronary artery is blocked, the heart cells it feeds start to measure within 20-30 minutes. If the vessel is not opened, most of the cells die within 6 hours. There is scientific evidence that stem cells from bone marrow can reverse this process.
Bone Marrow Repairs the Heart
When heart muscle cells die from a heart attack, they are not replaced. In the early 2000s, the ability of stem cells to repair diseased tissue was recognized. This opened a new era in stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy for heart disease took the first place. The heart muscle is damaged after an infarction, leading to heart failure. Stem cell therapy is used to repair damage to the heart muscle and in severe heart failure.
In patients who have had an infarction, stem cells from the patient's bone marrow are extracted and injected into the coronary artery. This treatment can also lead to the formation of new blood vessels. Studies have shown that the damaged areas of the patients' hearts completely regress within 6 months and the heart's beating power increases.
Giving Your Own Cell
In stem cell transplantation into heart tissue, cells are not taken from relatives or outsiders, but from the person himself/herself. The person's own stem cells are obtained from a sample taken from the bone marrow. Therefore, there is no chance that the cells given will not be accepted.
How Is The Transplant Performed?
Similar to the angiography method, stem cell transplantation is performed non-surgically through a tube that is inserted through the groin vein and advanced into the heart tissue. This procedure is performed through the heart artery or vein, depending on the patient's current disease.
Bone Marrow Repairs the Heart
When heart muscle cells die from a heart attack, they are not replaced. In the early 2000s, the ability of stem cells to repair diseased tissue was recognized. This opened a new era in stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy for heart disease took the first place. The heart muscle is damaged after an infarction, leading to heart failure. Stem cell therapy is used to repair damage to the heart muscle and in severe heart failure.
In patients who have had an infarction, stem cells from the patient's bone marrow are extracted and injected into the coronary artery. This treatment can also lead to the formation of new blood vessels. Studies have shown that the damaged areas of the patients' hearts completely regress within 6 months and the beating power of the heart increases.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Repairmen of the Body
Mesenchymal stem cells are special cells that have the potential to transform into many different tissues in our body. For this reason, they are of great interest in the field of regenerative medicine.
What are Mesenchymal Stem Cells?
Stem Cells: They are the basic building blocks of all tissues in our body. These cells have the ability to renew themselves and differentiate into other types of cells.
Mesenchymal: It means connective tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells are stem cells that originate from connective tissue and can transform into different tissues such as bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle.
Areas of Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes
- Exosome Treatment in Skin Damage: Exosomes allow the repair of scars and the preservation of the elasticity and strength lost by the skin. They help cells regain the properties they lose due to aging thanks to their regenerative abilities.
- Exosome Therapy in Hair Loss: Hair loss, also known as alopecia or baldness, can be seen due to various reasons such as aging, diseases and medications. Exosomes accelerate the first stage process in which hair grows continuously. The vitality of exosomes is supported, providing growth factors and facilitating the growth of the hair shaft in the hair follicles
- Exosome Therapy in Immune System Diseases: It supports the immune system by increasing the activation of regulatory T cells, which play an important role in the immune response.
- Graft vs Host Disease (GvHD) Exosome Therapy: GvHD is a possible complication of stem cell or bone marrow transplantation from another person. Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes are used prophylactically (preventively) in the treatment of GvHD.
- Exosome Therapy in Ovarian Rejuvenation: One of the signs of ovarian aging is a decrease in the number of follicles. Ovarian reserve is basically defined by the quantity and quality of primordial follicles. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes are used in disease treatments such as polycystic ovary, ovarian development, uterine diseases, and endometrial receptivity. It is known that the amount of primordial follicles increases significantly and starts after exosome intervention.
- Exosome Treatment in Spinal Cord Injuries: Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes have been shown to have effective repair effects on spinal cord injury (SCI).
- It accelerates motor function and supports neuronal regeneration, alleviating histopathological damage that can be seen under the microscope.
- It suppresses programmed cell death of neuron cells and supports functional recovery.
- It promotes locomotor functional recovery that provides displacement movements such as walking and running, and reduces inflammation.
- It increases functional recovery and reduces complement activation caused by spinal cord injury.
- It improves functional recovery and axonal regeneration.
- It repairs deformations that occur in spinal cord injury.
7. Exosome Treatment in Orthopedic Diseases Cartilage Damage and Joint Calcification: Exosomes provide regeneration of cartilage tissue. Reduce inflammation and support the proliferation of cartilage cells. Used in the treatment of joint diseases such as osteoarthritis and talus.
