Chinese Scientists Make Progress in Stem Cell Research

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 06, 2001

Chinese Scientists Make Progress in Stem Cell Research

Chinese scientists have succeeded in curing a mouse of lower paralysis four months after implanting nerve stem cells from a human embryo, signaling the hope in curing patients suffering from paralysis due to nerve severance.

China succeeded in stem cell experiment

Chinese scientists have succeeded in curing a mouse of lower paralysis four months after implanting nerve stem cells from a human embryo.

As the first case of its kind in China, the experiment was directed by Liang Peng, a neurosurgeon in the No. 1 Hospital attached to Harbin Medical Sciences University.

The mouse lost the function of its back legs and could not urinate after scientists cut the nerve between its eighth and ninth vertebra.

Three months after the stem cells were implanted, the mouse's hind legs began to move and to support its body, and four months later the mouse could move and urinate.

Hope found in curing patients suffering from paralysis

Nerve stem cells can live in the body without obvious rejection, and can control and repair the injured parts, according to the experts.

The cells, separated from the human embryo, had been cultivated for nine months, the longest time for similar cases.

There is hope that in the near future patients suffering from paralysis due to nerve severance will be able to stand again after stem cell implantation, says Liu Enchong, a neurosurgeon.

Stem Cell Research in China

The nerve stem cell transplant is regarded as a new solution for Parkinson's syndrome and other high-incidence diseases affecting elderly people.

In the past, patients of those diseases were given chemical treatment or received intravenous injections, but these proved either to be not very effective or to have undesirable side- effects.

Chinese scientists succeeded in cultivating human embryonic nerve stem cells last year, and obtained promising results in transplant operations on animals early this year.

More background information & scientific data

Chinese Government, Scientists Oppose Human Cloning

Breakthrough Achieved, Organ from Stem Cell Dublicated

Nerve Stem Cells Transplant Successful in China