Fat stem cells may help treat kidney ailments BS Reporter / Mumbai/ AhmedabadMarch 06, 2007 In a breakthrough in the stem cell research, scientist from Ahmedabad have developed a technique to encourage a new kind of stem cells called Mesenchymal stem cells generated from fat (adipose tissue) of donors, which can be used in treating kidney diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells generated from fat of donors hold great promise for the treatment of kidney diseases, claims H L Trivedi, director, Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Center (IKDRC), Ahmedabad. We will soon patent the research, he added. The institute will soon convene a meeting of scientists working on the project and take a decision on securing the patent for the research. A team of scientists from the IKDRC, led by Trivedi, has clinically proved that when presented in the right physical context, certain growth factors encourage the survival and proliferation of fat mesenchymal stem cells grown outside the body. Trivedi says the research offers hope of cent per cent recovery for patients suffering from severe kidney diseases as the mesenchymal stem cells will nullify the rejection rate of the body, thus inducing the body to accept the newly transplanted kidney as part of its own body. Emphasising on the success of mesenchymal stem cells for kidney treatment, Trivedi further said mesenchymal stem cells were the best repair stem cells compared to other stem cells. The worlds first recipient of these kinds of stem cells is a kidney patient - Hetalben Mewada, a 30-year-old housewife from Palanpur in Gujarat, claims the scientist from IKDRC. Speaking about the financial aspect of the kidney treatment, Trivedi said, Mesenchymal stem cells using fat is simple and cheap. The latest invention would cut the cost of surgery drastically and make it affordable for the needy people. It will also reduce the chances of recurrence and complexity in the post surgery situation, he said. Mesenchymal stem cells are available in bone marrow and peripheral blood cells in smaller quantity, but the cells are not economically feasible. Mesenchymal stem cells can be easily derived from fat and is economically viable. Mesenchymal stem cells that are already in the fats are separated and grown through culturing technique in laboratory. IKDRCs scientists carried out a kidney transplant operation using Mesenchymal stem cells derived from fats along with adult hematopoietic stem cells infused into the transplanted kidney to create tolerance or acceptance by the patients. This eliminates the chance of rejection, and the patients would not need medication. Under this procedure, the mesenchymal stem cells act as a big brother to adult hematopoietic stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells protect these hematopoietic stem cells and help their grafting into different organs by themselves getting grafted and making space for their younger siblings (adult hematopoietic stem cells) to live along with them in their vicinity. Fat stem cells may help treat kidney ailments BS Reporter / Mumbai/ Ahmedabad Mar 06, 2007, 22:52 IST

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Fat stem cells may help treat kidney ailments