What are stem cells
Q1: What are stem cells? How can they be used to treat diabetes?
Answer:Stem cells are primitive cells present in all humans. They have both the ability to renew themselves through cell division and to differentiate into various cell types.They are like “seeds” of the human body, growing in all types of tissues. By injecting a quantity of stem cells through an arterial catheter into the pancreas, these “seeds” can take root and differentiate into specialized pancreatic cells, replacing the damaged β-cells which secrete insulin, and in doing so improve or even cure diabetic disorders.
Q2: Where in the human body are stem cells found?
Answer:In adults, stem cells primarily reside in the bone marrow. However, the growth factor G-CSF may be used to stimulate the proliferation of stem cells in the bone marrow, which then overflow into the bloodstream. The amount of stem cells in the bloodstream is then more than enough for treatment.
Q3: Whose Stem cells do we use for the treatment?
Answer:Stem cells are extracted from the patient’s own blood, thus avoiding certain complications such as infectious diseases, donor shortage, or immunological rejection etc.
Q4: What are the two types of Autologous (Patients receive their own stem cells) stem cell transplantations used to treat diabetes?
Answer: Autologous Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) are procedures that can treat diabetes. Our department currently performs Autologous PBSCT to treat diabetic patients. The procedure is simple,and requires only a tiny incision. Bone marrow biopsy is not necessary, and thereare fewer complications than with BMT. Patients can be discharged from hospital within a shorter time, which also means less expenses.
Q5: How are stem cells extracted from the bloodstream?
Answer:A growth factor is used to stimulate the growth of stem cells so they spill over into the bloodstream. G-CSF is a protein that is produced naturally in the body. Blood is then removed from a vein and passed through a machine that separates the stem cellsinto a blood bag, while the remaining blood passes through a needle back into the person's other arm.
Q6: How are stem cells transplanted?
Answer: An arterial catheter is inserted into the arteries of the pancreas. The stem cells are injected from the blood bag through thecatheter into your pancreas, allowing the stem cells to differentiate into pancreatic cells.
Q7: Does Autologous PBSCT for diabetes require surgery?
Answer:Interventional procedures are required for this treatment,like taking blood samples, intravenous injections, and an arterial catheter used toinject stem cells into the pancreatic arteries.
Q8: Is Autologous PBSCT safe?
Answer: Yes, it is safe. Stem cell extraction is done by machine in an air-tight environment. All materials used are imported and disposable, preventing the possibility of infections between patients. The catheter procedure is performed by trained professionals reducing chances of complications to a minimum.
Q9: Where else can I seek Autologous PBSCT treatment?
Answer: Within mainland China, we are currently the only hospital that conducts Autologous PBSCT treatment for diabetes.
Q10: How long after Autologous PBSCT treatment, can we start to reduce hypoglycemic drug dosage?
Answer: Under the basis of constantly monitoring blood glucose levels, the patient can begin lowering their hypoglycemic drug dosage 30 days after the treatment.
Q11: What kind of recovery rate can be expected after treatment?
Answer: Research studies show “over 93% of the Type 1 diabetes patients were able to stop using insulin at various stages after PBSCT treatment. The toxicity for this treatment is minimal and no fatality cases have been reported. The earlier the patient begins the treatment for diabetes the more confidence they have in curing it. The recovery rate for Type 2 diabetes also reaches beyond 80%.”
Q12: How is the efficiency of recovery in our hospital?
Answer: So far more than 300 cases have been treated. Short term alleviation is certain. All patients achieve lowered blood glucose levels, and decreased dosage in hypoglycemic drugs. Some patients have stopped using hypoglycemic drugs altogether.
Q13: How is the long term recovery for this treatment?
Answer: Recovery rates look promising. However since the procedure is still fairly new, the long term recovery rates are still under analysis.
Q14: What are the adverse effects of this treatment?
Answer: There may be some discomforts such as ostealgia (bone pain), however adverse effects are generallyt mild and completely bearable. Past procedures have shown no common adverse effects. Further observations are still being continued
Q15: If treatment fails, will it aggravate my current condition?
Answer:No. Since the treatment uses the patients own stem cells, there is no damage done to the patient’s body, and therefore will not aggravate the patient’s original condition.
Q16: Is there an age requirement for this treatment?
Answer: Ideally the patients age should be between 18 to 65 years, but if the patient is in good condition, age requirement may be relaxed.
Q17: Which patients are eligible for this treatment?
Answer: Patients who meet these conditions may consider Autologous PBSCT treatment:
(1). Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes patient (WHO standards, 1999)
(2). Aged 18-65 years old
(3). Reasonably controlled blood glucose levels using insulin and/or hypoglycemic drugs.
(4). Patients general condition should be good.
(5). Patients who are able to cooperate
Q18: Which patients are not eligible for this treatment?
Answer: Patientswith the following conditions should not consider this treatment:
(1). Malignanttumor.
(2). Severe heart disease: acute infarction, severe arrhythmia, decompensated heart failure, severe angina pectoris symptoms.
(3). Acute or chronic kidney failure.
(4). Severe asthma or other severe respiratory diseases.
(5). Abnormal coagulation conditions or hemorrhagic diseases.
(6). Congenital or acquired immunologic deficiency diseases.
(7). Allergy to contrast media.
(8). Present history of anti-coagulant drugs use.
Q19: When is treatment most efficient?
Answer: Although this treatment can help patients with different types and in different stages of diabetes, past clinical experiences with Autologous PBSCT treatment have shown that for patients within the eligible age bracket, patients who are younger, have a shorter history of the disease, and fewer complications from diabetes, generaly hava a higher rate of recovery and run less risk of any complications. For those eligible for treatment, the sooner the treatment the better the results.
Q20: If the treatment is successful, do I still need to control my diet?
Answer:Yes. A diet with a suitable amount of calories is nessecary for mantaining your health, even if you no longer take diabetic medications.
Q21: After the treatment, is exercise still necissary?
Answer: Yes, regular exercise is key to the maintanance of your health, even after treatment with stem cells.
Q22: If interested in this treatment, who should I contact?
Answer: Treatment can be scheduled by phone or by visiting our endocrinology department. Hospital beds are limited, so patients will be treated by order of reservation. Without a reservation treatment will not be possible.
Contact number: 010-59971355 or 01059971357
Web page: www.asch.net.cn
Q23: After the treatment, are regular check-ups necessary?
Answer: Yes, regular check-ups are necessary. We have doctors for this specific purpose.
Q24: If a few years after the treatment blood glucose levels are not satisfactory, is it possible to do the procedure for again?
Answer: Yes.
Q25: How much does this treatment cost?
Answer: Currently, about 50,000 RMB
Q26: How long is the hospital stay for this treatment?
Answer: Usually, about 2-3 weeks. After the procedure, check-ups are handled by the clinic.
Q27: Introduction to Aerospace Central Hospital:
Aerospace Central Hospital (A Peking University Medical Teaching Hospital) is a 3rd class (top class) Beijing hospital, and is a teaching hospital of Peking University. It is a designated Beijing Insurance hospital, and is also responsible in health examinations for the Aerospace Unit.
Q28: Aerospace Central Hospital Address:
Haidian District, Beijing Yuquan Road #15
Subway line1, Yuquanlu station, exit B, and go north 800 meters.
Bus 370, 619, 617, 481, 507, 530, Yuntong-114, Te-10 Stations located adjacent to hospital.
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