title: Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells in Spinal Cord Injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spinal cord injury is a traumatic neurological condition which makes the patient disable. Its management still remains challenging but advancements in the regenerative medicine have changed the approach of treating this serious debilitating condition of the central nervous system. Cell based therapies can restore function in spinal cord injury by replacing the lost neural tissue. These therapies also rejuvenate the existing intact neurons by facilitating remyelination and by repairing and reducing progressive tissue damage and scarring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Autologous bone marrow stem cells were collected from the patients. 5 ml of the processed sample was injected back into the patients via lumbar puncture at L1/L2 level. The bone marrow harvesting and administration was repeated every 4 weeks 3 times (12 weeks).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements were noticed following the injections into the patients with the duration of injury less than 6 months. ASIA grade improvements were observed in 6 out of 10 patients. VTC and walking, at least with the support, was restored in eight patients. Bladder control and sexual functions improved in three and five patients respectively. Eight patients exhibited decreased spasticity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that autologous bone marrow stem cells contributed towards the neuroplaticity and/or paracrine effect due to which we observed the considerable improvements in the conditions of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary proof of patient improvement reinforces the potential of autologous bone marrow stem cell treatment in the patients suffering from Spinal Cord Injury. Although the results are encouraging further studies are needed to substantiate the claims.
authors.affiliation: Mother Cell, Anupam Hospital, Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, India.|RegennMed Research and Therapeutics, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Himanshu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.affiliation: RegennMed Research and Therapeutics, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Poonam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: Mother Cell, Anupam Hospital, Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, India.|RegennMed Research and Therapeutics, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Anupama
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.affiliation: Advanced Health Institute, Puerto Rico, USA.
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: I Birgitta
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Sundell
authors.affiliation: Haffkine Institute, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Prasad S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Koka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012677:Sensation; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34
keywords: ASIA scale; Ashworth score; bone marrow stem cells; spinal cord injury (SCI)