In a potential blow to those who fervently believe stem cell therapy is the “answer for Parkinsons”, new research out of Italy may cast a long shadow over it for years to come.
Stem Cell research is the probably one of the main "Holy Lands" of the new medical research for neuro degenerative diseases such as ALZ and Parkinson’s. Most stem cell research is based on using human placentas that have been presumably “screened” and approved as non-contaminated by drugs for human use, but new research suggests that avenue may become a dead end as placentas have now been found contaminated with "microplastics" (A microplastic is generally defined as any plastic debris or fragment measuring less than five millimeters in length, but usually much smaller.)
The study was published in the journal, Environment International and titled "Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta."
A dozen plastic particles were found in the four placentas, mostly 10 microns in size (0.01mm), meaning they were small enough to travel through the bloodstream and were analyzed to have come originally from packaging paints or polymers and personal care products.
The principal investigator wrote:....
"it's like having a cyborg baby: no longer composed only of human cells, but a mixture of biological and inorganic entities."
An exponential increase in the distribution of microplastics in our environment is nothing new and unexpected. (see journal Environmental Pollution, 2020, "Distinct microplastic distributions in soils of different land-use types: A case study of Chinese farmlands" .... and a more disturbing study, "Microplastics in glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau: Evidence for the long-range transport of microplastics".)
Will stem cell research companies find a way to avoid and screen for microplastic contaminated fetuses? I assume they will try and some will do so, or that avenue of medicine will face serious difficulties in the future in an attempt to cure PD or anything else.
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sharoncrayn
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Current stem cell therapies don't work by engraftment - the stem cells do not become replacements for lost cells, but rather release extracellular vesicles containing small RNAs (Y RNAs, which are apparently a different class than microRNAs) which act to improve the function of existing cell populations.
Treatments are being developed that use only extracellular vesicles (exosomes) containing specific Y RNAs. Besides, stem cells can now be generated from a patients' own cells through cellular re-programming, if needed. But I see the near-term future as being based on exosome packaged RNAs.
No need for gloom and doom; these treatments are being developed quite rapidly.
Microplastics are a problem for the food supply, especially seafood and teabags (they leach microplastics, use loose tea or bags that are labelled plastic-free).
Here's a video on exosome therapies; there is specific mention of PD somewhere (edit, oops, no it was AD at around 40:35 *):
Well... one of the reasons why I stopped eating sardines, a once highly regarded superfood. I now have untouched multi-pack boxes in the basement that I'm saving for the zombie days.
"From the seafood species tested, sardines had the highest plastic content, which was a surprising result."
Automobile tires, synthetic clothing (polyester, nylon, etc), bottled beverages... just one of the many consequences of the growing global human population and the resulting environmental pollutants overwhelming the earth's ecosystem.
We all must stay vigilant and beware. If you downplay the health dangers of microplastics, glyphosate, metals, and myriad other toxins, you're already at a loss.
Stem cell therapy has great potentials, but it won't be the answer.
I am both quite concerned about microplastics & the environment generally and also hopeful for stem cell and cell-free exosome therapies for many conditions.
article today - it looks like the biggest contributor to microplastic in oceans is from synthetic clothing: theguardian.com/environment...
I am going to try to switch over from polyester fleece blankets to cotton flannel. I don't like the feel of synthetics generally, but do use fleece throws and I have a fleece jacket. Rayon is okay (made from cellulose fibers, typically from bamboo) but for some reason it bothers my skin.
It's great that you're doing your part, but the problem is so pervasive and will require legislative action in the future before it gets way worse... whether through outright ban or laundry machine/water filtering mechanism. I've always preferred cotton and linen, but most will not voluntarily switch because synthetics are so much more affordable and ubiquitous.
“Most stem cell research is based on using human placentas that have been presumably “screened” and approved as non-contaminated by drugs for human use...”
Wrong. Autologous IPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) which pose no immunological threat to the patient is central to much of the most promising research.
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