Blood Vessels Created From Adult Stem CellsSubmitted by Jason Ramsey on Fri, 04/09/2010 - 17:03
From new researches, it has been seen that scientist have created functional blood vessels by using adult stem cells. It is believed that one day these vessels would replace synthetic grafts which are needed for the vascular bypass surgeries.
To open blocked arteries in one part of the body by using a vessel from somewhere else, bypass surgery is used.
"Our grafts have the potential to be used for peripheral artery disease bypass (mostly in the legs), and arteriovenous fistula (a type of vascular access for hemodialysis), and heart bypass surgery. However, the first uses of the grafts would be for treatment ofperipheral artery disease and dialysis access grafting", said Dr. Stephen E. McIlhenny, lead author of the study and tissue engineer of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
After the testing on rabbits, it was seen that research team was able to grow stem cells into a fully functional blood vessel.
It was told by Thomas Jefferson that first the technique would be tested on animals and then it would be tested on humans.
At the American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology annual conference in San Francisco, the findings were presented.
http://topnews.us/content/216113-blood-vessels-created-adult-stem-cells