[Acb-diabetics] Entry From My Blog About Stem Cells and Diabetes (fwd)

[Christopher Gray]

Real Stem Cell Therapy Today for People with Diabetes

We read a lot about stem cell therapies that might be available, and even
about clinical trials of such therapies.  The clinical trials are more
often outside the United States than not, but they do exist.

Over the weekend though, I actually ran into an advertisement for a real
stem cell therapy program for people with diabetes in which anybody can
participate, at least that's how it appears.     Of course, one must
undergo a medical evaluation, but it seems to be meant for safety rather
than for study participation.

This program of stem cell harvesting from your own body and implantation
is currently available from a clinic in Germany.  And, it's not cheap.
Based on their pricing and travel from the United States, this could
easily cost you $30,000.  Results are not guaranteed either although they
appear to be about 2/3 effective for Type 2 diabetics.

Still, many are achieving good results and the program is relatively new.
Chances seem reasonable that costs will come down and effectiveness go up
over time.  Let's hope so, anyway.

I rarely quote extensively from other websites in my blog, but this is
unique and interesting enough that I'm going to quote from this site.  It
was a link from a Scientific AMerican website, so one would tend to
believe that it has some reasonable degree of credibility.  Below is the
link and then the article.  Use the link to explore other parts of the
website and for the ability to actuate the links and access the forms and
other information referenced below.

http://www.xcell-center.com/treatments/diseases-treated/diabetes.aspx?gclid=CJ_r65aYxZ0CFRlcagodzkygqA
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Introduction

If you or a loved one is living with diabetes then you may
already be aware its debilitating effects.

Diabetes is often called the ?silent killer? because it attacks
the body slowly and stealthily. Newly diagnosed adult diabetes
patients are usually not overly concerned about it since their
symptoms are often no more serious than frequent urination and
increased thirst. Many other patients have no symptoms at all.

However, as time goes by, the consequences of both types of
diabetes become increasingly serious and can lead to death. These
include heart disease, eye problems, kidney failure, nerve damage
and erectile dysfunction, to name a few. Major contributors to
the degenerative effects of diabetes are hyperglycemia (high
blood sugar) and hypoglycemic events (acute low blood sugar).
Recent studies suggest that even some oral diabetes medications
contribute to heart failure. Thus, it is critical that men and
women who are diagnosed with diabetes seek treatment to reduce
hyperglycemia and hypoglycemic events that will, in time, trigger
these dangerous, degenerative conditions.

Our innovative, autologous (originating from your own body) stem
cell therapy for diabetes I and II does just that ? drug free. It
fights diabetes at its roots, reducing hyperglycemia and its
associated complications (see above). Recent evidence suggests
that it also reduces hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) events that
can result in death if not treated promptly.

The XCell-Center has safely treated hundreds of diabetes patients
to-date. Newly released follow-up statistics show that more than
50% of patients improve following treatment.

The Xcell-Center Diabetes Mellitus treatment

Diabetes patients are usually treated by injecting the stem cells
into the pancreatic artery via catheter. Patients who cannot
safely undergo the catheterization procedure may elect to receive
the stem cells intravenously.

Both methods are outpatient procedures that require patients to
stay in Germany 4 or 5 nights.

Bone Marrow Collection

On the first day, bone marrow is collected from the patient?s
iliac crest (hip bone) using thin-needle mini-puncture under
local anesthesia. Although some pain is felt when the needle is
inserted, most patients do not find the bone marrow collection
procedure particularly painful. The entire procedure normally
takes about 30 minutes.

Once the bone marrow collection is complete, the patient may
return to their hotel and go about normal activities.

More detailed information on the bone marrow collection procedure
is available in the Bone Marrow Informed Consent document (PDF
file).

Laboratory Processing

The next day, the stem cells are processed from the bone marrow
in a state-of-the-art, government approved (cGMP) laboratory. In
the lab, both the quantity and quality of the stem cells are
measured. These cells have the potential to transform into
multiple types of cells and are capable of regenerating damaged
cells such as pancreatic beta cells.

Stem Cell Implantation

On the third day, the stem cells are implanted into the
pancreatic artery under local anesthesia using a fine wire
(catheter) that is inserted into the patient?s right femoral
artery. X-ray scanning is used to guide the catheter into the
pancreatic artery where the stem cells are injected through a
small hole in the center of the wire. This procedure takes about
90 minutes. Afterwards, the patient will spend 2 or 3 hours in
the recovery room to ensure that the entry site is not bleeding.

More detailed information about the catheterization (angiography)
procedure may be found in the Angiography Informed Consent
document (PDF file).

Patients who cannot be treated by catheter, such as those with
kidney problems, are offered an alternative intravenous stem cell
implantation.

Patients who are suffering from diabetic peripheral neuropathy
will receive a portion of their stem cells via intramuscular
injections into the leg muscles.

Following Treatment

Patients are required to stay in town on the fourth day for
general safety considerations. They may return home on the fifth
day.

Treatment Results

Follow up statistics from 50 diabetes patients completed in July
2009 show that more than 50% experienced improvements after stem
cell therapy.

40% of the patients were insulin dependent (type 1) and 60% were
non-insulin dependent (type 2). About 4 of 5 patients were male
and the average age was 51 years old.

Approximately 1/3 of insulin dependent patients improved
following treatment while about 2/3 of non-insulin dependent
patients improved.

Overall, improvements reported included more stable blood glucose
levels, lower fasting blood glucose levels, decreased leg pain,
lower blood pressure and the elimination of hypoglycemic
episodes.

Nearly 1 in 4 male patients regained erectile function.

Please see Diabetes Treatment Results (PDF file) for the complete
study.

Cost

The cost of the treatment depends on the method of cell
application. An XCell-Center doctor will evaluate the medical
records and blood work of a prospective patient to determine
which application method would be most appropriate.

The price of the angiography treatment is 8,925 Euros.
The price of the intravenous treatment is 7,545 Euros.

Evaluation Process

In order to be evaluated for treatment, patients must complete an
online medical history form. Once you?ve completed the online
medical history and submitted it, a patient relations consultant
will contact you within 3 business days. He or she will assist
you with the rest of the evaluation process. Upon treatment
approval, your consultant will also assist you with treatment
scheduling and trip preparation.