Treating Crohn’s Disease with Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
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Crohn’s disease is the name of a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling and inflammation in the tissues of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease can lead to fatigue, severe diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition.
There are several areas of the digestive tract that can become inflamed as a result of Crohn’s disease. However, the most common location affected by this disease is the small intestine. In many cases, the inflammation spreads to deeper layers of the bowel system. This condition can be incredibly painful and debilitating. In severe cases, it can become life-threatening.
Although the exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, many believe that stress and diet are major contributing factors that can aggravate the symptoms of the disease. There are various other environmental, genetic, and hereditary factors that can result in a person suffering from Crohn’s disease.
How Many People Have Crohn’s Disease?
Statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that a total of 3.1 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases. This number equates to 1.3% of all adults living in the country. Worldwide, more than 6 million people suffer from Crohn’s disease. The total number is equal to between 100 and 300 cases per 100,000 people across the globe.
What are the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease has an array of signs and symptoms for sufferers. These symptoms can range from mild to severe in nature. In many cases, the symptoms that patients suffer from develop gradually. In some instances, they cannot come on suddenly and without warning.
When a person is suffering from an active case of Crohn’s disease, some of the symptoms that they may experience include:
- Fatigue
- Mouth sores
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Blood in the stool
- Pain near or around the anus caused by inflammation
- Drainage near or around the anus
In addition, patients may experience symptoms outside of the intestinal tract. Some of the most common symptoms reported include:
- Delayed growth
- Delayed sexual development in child sufferers
- Inflammation of the bile ducts and/or liver
- Inflammation of the joints
- Eye inflammation
- Skin inflammation
- Kidney stones
- Anemia or other iron deficiencies
There are also instances where people go into remission and have no signs or symptoms for an extended period. However, this does not mean that the condition has resolved itself or that a patient is cured. Regrettably, there is no cure for Crohn’s disease. However, there are several treatment options for people who suffer from this debilitating condition.
What Treatment Options are Available for Crohn’s Disease?
Given the fact that there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, doctors will often prescribe various medications in order to help alleviate the symptoms that patients suffer from and improve their long-term prognosis. In some cases, the goal of treatment is to limit complications that can be caused by the disease. The ideal treatment will not only lead to symptom relief but can also lead to remission, which can be long-term.
One of the most common types of drugs that are provided to patients is anti-inflammatory drugs like corticosteroids. These medications are designed to reduce inflammation in the body of the person who suffers from Crohn’s disease. Two of the most common types of medications provided to patients include budesonide and prednisone.
These medications are generally prescribed short-term to improve symptoms and to help induce remission in patients. In some cases, these medications are prescribed to patients in combination with other immune system suppressors in order to provide more relief to patients.
Another drug treatment option that patients may be prescribed is immune system suppressors. These drugs are also designed to reduce inflammation. This specifically targets the immune system, and we order to help improve symptoms. Common types of immune system suppressors prescribed to patients with Crohn’s disease include:
Methotrexate: This type of medication is generally provided to patients who suffer from Crohn’s disease that do not respond well to other medications provided.
Azathioprine: These medications are generally used the most when it comes to immunosuppressants for treating inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease.
Biologics are another type of medication that is routinely prescribed to patients who suffer from Crohn’s disease. Some of the common biologics used to treat this condition include:
- Vedolizumab: This medication works to stop certain immune cell molecules from binding with other cells inside the lining of the intestines.
- TNF Inhibitors: These drugs are designed to neutralize the tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which is an immune system protein.
- Ustekinumab: This medication is designed to interfere with the action of the inflammation protein known as interleukin.
- Risankizumab: This medication works against the interleukin-23 molecule.
Other medications that are commonly prescribed to help patients who suffer from Crohn’s disease include antibiotics, pain relievers, antidiarrheals, supplements, and vitamins.
Although there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, we have seen recent studies surrounding the use of umbilical Cord derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat this condition. The findings have been promising when it comes to offering a new treatment option for sufferers.
What are Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells?
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, also referred to as UC-MSCs, are a type of stem cell that is isolated from the tissues in the umbilical cord. This ethical type of stem cell is incredibly beneficial when it comes to treating various autoimmune disorders and health conditions.
These cells have the ability to differentiate into a variety of cell types, including bone, cartilage, and fat cells. UC-MSCs also have immunomodulatory properties, which allow them to suppress the immune system. They are also incredibly good when it comes to their anti-inflammatory characteristics. The majority of UC-MSCs used are isolated from the Wharton’s jelly of the umbilical cord. These cells present the highest potency, providing the most benefits when it comes to regenerative medicine and immunotherapy.
Studies Surrounding the use of UC-MSCs for Treating Crohn’s Disease
Over the years, stem cell therapies have been considered when it comes to treating various autoimmune diseases, including Crohn’s disease. There are several studies that have been performed surrounding the use of UC-MSCs for treating this chronic condition.
One of the most notable studies conducted by a group of scientists involved a total of 82 patients who had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. The patients all received steroid maintenance therapy for over six months. Out of the total patients, 41 of them were randomly selected to receive several rounds of peripheral intravenous infusions of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells. These stem cells were administered once a week for four weeks. A 12-month follow-up was performed to note the results.
At the 12-month follow-up, scientists found that the corticosteroid dosage prescribed to patients had been reduced. In addition, the Crohn’s disease activity (CDAI) index and the Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI) had also been reduced significantly among the patients in the UC-MSC group when compared to the control group.
Scientists also found that there were no severe adverse reactions as a result of the infusions. The study concluded that the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells was effective in treating Crohn’s disease and produced very mild side effects among patients. This type of stem cell therapy has been effective in demonstrating regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties, which have been incredibly effective when it comes to reducing the symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease.
In 2021, scientists published a study that focused on a total of 46 studies that involved 28 animals and 18 human trials. These studies effectively determined that the disease index in animal studies had dramatically decreased for the subjects that were treated with mesenchymal stem cells compared to the control group, which did not receive this type of treatment. Those who receive stem cell transplantation also experienced a reduced Crohn’s disease activity index, lower histopathological scores, and myeloperoxidase levels.
Additionally, the subjects also experienced an improved inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire score when compared to the control groups. The patients that were treated with these stem cells also maintained higher remission rates for between three and 24 months after they received the transplantation. This study concluded that the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells was truly valuable as a supplementary therapy for Crohn’s disease sufferers.
Another major study is currently underway in China involving a total of 24 participants who have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. This test is underway to assess the safety and efficacy of using umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat complex Perianal fistula in Perianal Crohn’s disease sufferers. The study is set to conclude in January 2024.
Over the years, stem cell transplantations have come forward as being one of the most promising treatments, especially when it comes to patients who suffer from Crohn’s disease and other serious autoimmune disorders. However, more studies and tests are needed in order to conclude that these treatments are a viable option when it comes to treating patients who suffer from Crohn’s disease and other debilitating conditions.
Stem cell therapy could change your life. Find out how by reaching out to Cellebration Wellness at 1.800.601.8290 today.
