Stem cells derived from human muscle tissue are able to repair nerve damage and restore function in an animal model of sciatic nerve injury. [s]HealthCanal[/s] reports that this is according to researchers at the [b]University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine[/b] who suggest that cell therapy of certain nerve diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, might one day be feasible. To date, treatments for damage to peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, have not been very successful, often leaving patients with impaired muscle control and sensation, pain and decreased function, said senior author Prof Johnny Huard of the Pitt School of Medicine and deputy director for cellular therapy, [b]McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine[/b]. The findings, published in the [s]Journal of Clinical Investigation[/s], suggest that cell therapy of certain nerve diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, might one day be feasible. ‘This study indicates that placing adult, human muscle-derived stem cells at the site of peripheral nerve injury can help heal the lesion,’ Huard said. ‘The stem cells were able to make non-neuronal support cells to promote regeneration of the damaged nerve fibre.’
[link url=http://www.healthcanal.com/bones-muscles/48899-stem-cells-from-muscle-can-repair-nerve-damage-after-injury-pitt-researchers-show.html]Full HealthCanal report[/link]
[link url=http://www.jci.org/articles/view/44071]JCI full article[/link]