Muscular Dystrophy (MD)
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of progressive muscle diseases that cause a breakdown of skeletal muscle over time. This results in accelerated weakness of specific muscles and normally progresses to an inability to walk or perform certain motor functions.
The different types of muscular dystrophies result from mutations in genes that are involved in muscle protein production. These can be either inherited or spontaneous mutations.
There is no cure for MD and conventional therapy focuses on supportive treatment such as physical therapy, braces, and surgery. Some medications may also help to slow the progression of the disease.
Stem cell research for MD is looking at trying to increase muscle mass, functionality, and tone to improve mobility and motor function in patients.
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The most current research regarding stem cells and MD is given below:
Therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy with umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation
Zhang C1, Feng HY, Huang SL, Fang JP, Xiao LL, Yao XL, Chen C, Ye X, Zeng Y, Lu XL, Wen JM, Zhang WX, Li Z, Feng SW, Xu HG, Huang K, Zhou DH, Chen W, Xie YM, Xi J, Zhang M, Li Y, Liu Y.
Abstract: To analyze a Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD) patient's muscular regeneration, dystrophin expression and locomotive variation before and after he underwent umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation in order to assess the therapeutic effect.
Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Safety and Feasibility Study in India.
Rajput BS, Chakrabarti SK, Dongare VS, Ramirez CM, Deb KD.
Abstract: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a musculo-degenerative disease characterized by lack of dystrophin production with no definite cure available currently. Discarded umbilical cord is a potential source of mesenchymal stem cells which are non-immunogenic and can be used for transplantation in allogenic set ups. Given the regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), here we investigated its role in the cellular therapy of DMD patients.