|
Skeletal
muscle cell transplants in laboratory animals appear to offer
a safer, more effective and longer lasting treatment for urinary
incontinence than existing methods, according to researchers
at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
"In
patients who need more advanced treatments for incontinence,
we currently have the options of treating them through surgery
or through the injection of bulking agents like collagen,"
said Ryan J. Pruchnic of the departments of urology and orthopedic
surgery.
Although
collagen injections give good short-term results and are less
invasive than surgery, there is a possibility of the collagen
being reabsorbed or causing allergic reactions," he said.
"In our study, muscle derived cells have the potential
to offer a longer-term solution without the risk of rejection."
Researchers
took muscle cells from mice, purified and cloned them, and
then reinjected the cells into the animal's bladder. The bladders
were reevaluated at one, four and eight weeks and six months.
Researchers found the presence of myofibers, or differentiated
muscle cells, throughout the smooth muscle layer, which did
not decrease over time. Some of the myofibers appeared to
show differentiation into smooth muscle and there were indications
that the muscle was supplied with nerves giving the muscle
the ability to become functional tissue.
"These
findings indicate that the use of muscle derived cells may
prove to be a very promising new therapy in the treatment
of urinary incontinence. Essentially, we are giving the bladder
muscles the ability to fix themselves by generating new muscle,"
said Dr. Michael Chancellor, professor of urology and gynecology
at UPMC. "In future studies we hope this will turn into
a long lasting, if not permanent, solution for our patients."
Source:
Medical Week staff,
week of June 2, 2002
|
HOME PAGE
