Stem Cell Human Trials for Macular Degeneration

[jimcaster]

We aren't there yet with Parkinson's Disease, but I still remain excited about the possibility of turning back time with stem cells. Even if the disease continues to progress, we may be able to refill our tanks with dopaminergic neurons.

"Researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) are launching a clinical trial to test the safety of a novel patient-specific stem cell-based therapy to treat geographic atrophy, the advanced “dry” form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss among people age 65 and older. The geographic atrophy form of AMD currently has no treatment."

nih.gov/news-events/news-re...

[chartist]

In the meantime, Amla may be able to help with Macular Degeneration among many other health issues!

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Art

[park_bear in reply to chartist]

Art - do you have any references showing Amla efficacy in Parkinson's? - Thanks!

[chartist in reply to park_bear]

Sorry, park_bear,

I never found any studies directly related to PD. About all you can do is just take the positives from the human studies and apply those benefits to humans in general. Amla is an IL-8 inhibitor, but I found nothing which showed if it crosses the BBB. The main points of amla is that it is very good for overall health because of its cholesterol lowering activity, triglyceride lowering activity, very potent antioxidant activity on its own plus its ability to dramatically increase glutathione (> 53% in 12 weeks) plus catalase and super oxide dismutase and then add in its potent antiinflammatory activity where it lowers multiple inflammatory mediators (tnf-alpha and il-6) that are known to be active in PD and other diseases and its ability to lower malondialdehyde which is used as a marker of oxidative stress. It effectively lowered high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) over 53% in twelve weeks. It also significantly lowered the atherosclerotic index which is very important for the heart and longevity. It also is considered to be a very good supplement to be taken after or before a stroke.

I may have missed a point or two, but those were the highlights as I remember them off of the top of my head.

Art

[sharoncrayn in reply to chartist]

I seriously doubt that Amla would inhibit IL-6 or IL-8 (both are somewhat similar in construct) to any significant degree. Nor do I find any rationale of significance in the human research literature to believe any supplement would (or should) inhibit these or any of the other chemokines in a major way.

I realize that this statement contradicts some comments previously made on this subject on this forum about certain supplements inhibiting IL-8. Frankly, significantly inhibiting or modifying this chemokine would or could potentially become life threatening. Playing around with altering their relationship with associated neutrophils is akin to playing with dynamite.

Theoretical constructs in cell biology are interesting and provocative for those few who actually understand them, but seldom translate into the real world for a very good reason.

Sharon

[WinnieThePoo]

I agree that progress in stem cell research generally is hopeful for PD. I wonder why they use blood cells when PD research seems to use skin cells

[jimcaster in reply to WinnieThePoo]

Good question regarding blood cells vs. skin cells. I just know Dr. Loring seems very confident. I wish her human trials were underway,