Can stem cells treat kidney failure
Scientists from Utah (IMC and AlloCure) have been doing researches on whether they can treat patients with kidney failure by using adult stem cells. Namely, AlloCure researchers have patented specific cells which defend organs from getting injured. The cells come from a donor’s bone marrow. Scientists then work on them in the lab and actually make them invisible for the patient’s immune system – so there are no difficulties about compatibility.
The whole process is being done on patients who’ve had an open-heart surgery, which often causes kidney failure. By using AlloCure’s cells, damaging other organs would be prevented. The process is being done on fifteen patients and this is the first time that stem cells and kidney diseases „connect“.
IMC/AlloCure scientists get the cells in the patient’s blood, which transfers the cells to the kidney. Studies on animals have shown that the cells then encourage the kidney cells to grow, pushing the organ to renew itself. After they’ve done their job, they destroy themselves. This is important, because they don’t create formations such as bones or muscles in the wrong place.
Kidneys are organs placed in the posterior part of the abdominal cavity. Their main roles are to maintain the homeostatic balance of the fluids in our body, to regulate the blood pressure, glucose metabolism and the production of erythrocytes.
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