HealthDay News, December 4, 2009: "Adult stem cells appear to help repair heart attack damage, a new study shows: Small study found they spurred blood vessel growth after heart attack":
The phase 1 study of 53 patients found that stem cells from donor bone marrow promoted the growth of new blood vessels in heart tissue damaged by heart attack. The patients received the stem cell injections within 10 days of having a heart attack. During follow-up, they were compared to patients who had received a placebo injection.
After six months, those who got the stem cells were four times more likely to be better off overall, pumped more blood with each heartbeat, and had one-quarter as many irregular heartbeats, when compared to the placebo group. There also were no serious side effects with the stem cell treatment, according to the report published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
United Press International, Published: December 3, 2009, 11:28 AM: "Stem cells may repair damaged heart tissue"
CHICAGO, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Chicago heart researchers say they've determined adult stem cells might help repair heart tissues damaged by a heart attack.
Rush University Medical Center scientist said the results from a Phase I study show stem cells from donor bone marrow appear to help heart attack patients recover better by growing new blood vessels to bring more oxygen to the heart.
The medical center was one of 10 U.S. cardiac centers that participated in the 53-patient, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 trial. Rush is now enrolling patients for a Phase II trial.
Researchers said the Phase I finding is the strongest evidence yet that indicates adult stem cells can differentiate, or turn into heart cells to repair damage. Until now, it has been believed only embryonic stem cells could differentiate into heart or other organ cells, the scientists said.
