The Stem cell Studies done by a team of Italian researchers seem to offer hope for those who suffer from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
A medical research team looking for a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, an extremely debilitating disorder which causes wasting of muscles, submitted their findings recently.
The Stem cell Studies done by the team of Italian researchers seem to offer hope for those who suffer from the disease.Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe progressive disease of genetic origin that results in muscle wasting which usually begins in the lower limbs. It is seen to affect young boys more often and starts showing up when a child is about 3-5 years old and gradually by the age of twelve patients who suffer from this illness find themselves unable to walk without support.
Other than drugs that slow down the muscle wasting and those that control seizures no medicines have been proven so far that could cure the illness completely. The stem cell therapy done by Italian scientists on a group of dogs with muscular dystrophy has shown remarkably positive results.
Professor Giulio Cossu, from the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan and his team of researchers introduced stem cells into the blood stream of golden retrievers that were suffering from muscular wasting. The stem cells used for therapy were taken from adult dogs and not from embryos. Amazingly the dogs responded well to the treatment.
The scientists have expressed hope that the results of their study could revolutionize the possibilities of a successful cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in humans as well.
The organization, Muscular Dystrophy Association helped to fund the studies and research work.
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