Chennai: Tailored stem cell-based therapy can help in flushing out the dengue virus and rescuing liver cells from further damage, animal trials have shown. While research on larger animals and human clinical trials are still needed to support these findings, initial results are encouraging, according to S. Suresh Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences.
Suresh Kumar, who has published studies on the effect of hematopoietic stem cells found in the bone marrow, said infections transmitted by the ‘aedes’ mosquitoes put half of the world’s population at risk. “Despite advancements in medical sciences, dengue morbidity and mortality have not declined,” he said delivering the Gemini Ganesan Endowment Lecture on “Advances in Regenerative Medicine” at Madras Christian College.
The virus damages blood vessels, leading to internal bleeding and death. “Antiviral drugs are not being administered to patients for fear of organ failure. We injected hematopoietic stem cells in dengue-infected mice and found that they recovered from the infection in five days. Their blood vessels were in good condition as the stem cells repaired the damaged tissues,” he said.
Stem cell therapies are showing promise in the treatment of diabetes, eye problems, and Alzheimer’s disease, he said. “It may take some more time before we see the results,” he said.
The endowment lecture began with a short film on the life of the actor Gemini Ganesan, who was a student of chemistry and later taught in the same department at the college. MSID:: 118563922 413 |