Regenerative medicine has 
evolved significantly in the last 5 years to give patients more choices when it comes to their treatment. In this article we will review some of the different approaches in the regenerative medical field.
Indications for Stem Cell Treatments
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC’s), no matter the source are known for their anti-inflammatory and repair properties in the presence of injury or disease. MSC’s secrete cytokines and growth factors to initiate tissue repair. Initially, bone marrow and adipose tissue was used to harvest stem cells. Now MSC’s derived from the umbilical cords from healthy live births are shown to be superior to bone marrow and adipose sourced MSC’s. This is mainly due to their youth compared to the patient’s own stem cells which are less viable due to the aging process.
Most people seek stem cell therapy for joint pain and autoimmune conditions. More recently, patients are seeking stem cell treatments for heart health and vaccine related injuries, as well as for long Covid. MSC’s in addition to their anti-inflammatory effects, also have immunomodulating effects. Stem cell infusions are widely saught after by patients diagnosed with autoimmune conditions such as Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s disease or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis can also benefit from MSC’s as well as recent stroke victims. Depending on the condition treated, the patient will receive a local joint injection for osteoarthritis or an IV, as indicated in the treatment of a systemic medical condition such as asthma or heart disease.
Wharton’s Jelly Tissue Matrix
This product which has gained widespread popularity and is produced by newer labs is suitable for joint injections only. This product provides cushion and support for a joint. The MSC’s present in Wharton’s Jelly will serve to facilitate repair and decrease inflammation. It is important to note that this product is not suitable for IV’s and does not contain a high count of MSC’s. Therefore, joint injections are the indication for this product, but should not be offered as an IV. Although the practice of expanding stem cells from Wharton’s Jelly is not approved by the FDA, there are labs that expand the number of stem cells from the wharton’s jelly. This method of processing decreases the viablity of the MSC’s in the end product. Fortunately, local joint injections do not require a large number of stem cells so wharton’s jelly tissue matrix is a viable choice for inflammation in a joint. The unit of measurement in pricing is ml of fluid due to the very low count of actual MSC’s in this product. Some labs will state the product contains an “approximate” number of MSC’s, around 5-10 million per 1-2 ml.
Amnio & Placenta Fluid
The indication for the use of amnio/placenta fluid is for local joint injections. This product does not contain mesenchymal stem cells but is rich in cytokines and growth factors which serve to lower inflammation and facilitate tissue repair. This product is best used for minor joint arthritis or laxity of ligaments. More than one treatment will most likely be necessary. Amnio/Placenta containing products are priced in ml of fluid. These products should not be offered as an IV due to the fact that it does not contain any viable MSC’s so is too weak of a product for systemic medical conditions such as autoimmune or heart disease.
Exosomes
Exosomes have been increasing in popularity in recent years as a low cost treatment in regenerative medicine. Like amnio and placenta, they are acellular…meaning they are not stem cells. These vesicles are rich in cellular messengers such as cytokines, growth factors, messenger and micro RNA. These molucules assist in repair and lowering inflammation. This is a great treatment to combine with the high dose stem cell IV or alone for minor joint pain. They easily cross the blood brain barrier so Exosomes can be used in combination with stem cells for neurological disorders.
Umbilical Cord Blood & Wharton Jelly Derived MSC’s
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC’s) derived from a combination of the umbilical cord blood and wharton’s jelly is the superior product for systemic IVs to treat Autoimmune Conditions, neurodegenerative disease, heart disease, lung conditions, liver, kidney and diabetes. This combination product offers a very high count of MSC’s and offers a broad spectrum of healing capability which includes immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, repair and regenerative properties. This combination of hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells therefore offers the patient a wide spectrum of cell differentiation capabilities. The pricing unit is in number of stem cells or colony forming units. For an average weighted adult (150lbs), a stem cell treatment (infusion) should contain no less than 90 million MSC’s. Lower numbers of this combination product is also available for severe joint inflammation and injury as well.
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Individual responses vary considerably and depend upon the stage of disease, age and pre-existing conditions, and other individual differences such as lifestyle. Individual results vary, and discussion of successful cases is intended to educate about what may be possible and do not indicate that they will be successful in all patients. There are no guarantees that benefits will be obtained or adverse events will be avoided. The intended use of stem cells on this website is for immune system modulation only.