The Learning Journal allows you to step back and reflect on the concepts you studied in this unit.
In the Learning Journal, consider the following:
Acute kidney injury can be caused by a number of factors, including transplants and other surgeries. It affects 7–10 percent of all hospitalized patients, resulting in the deaths of 35–40 percent of inpatients.
Because stem cells have the unique ability to develop into any cell, stem cell therapy is being considered for treatment of kidney damage. What are your thoughts on stem cell treatment? Give at least three reasons for or against the treatment.
Be sure that your Learning Journal entry is a minimum of 500 words.
INTRODUCTION
Stem cells refer to cells that can regenerate and replenish lost cells when injured or damaged tissues. This paper describes how stem cells can be used for treatment of kidney damage, and three reasons for agreeing with the treatment.
I agree with the treatment of kidney disease with stem cells.
1. Current studies and clinical trials prove that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) promote renal function recovery.
Several studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have various effects, such as immunoregulatory ability and promotion of cell regeneration, and can prevent renal damage and promote renal function recovery (Peired et al., 2016). Ongoing clinical trials show that MSCs effectively treat acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, localized segmental glomerulosclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and kidney injury resulting from kidney transplantation (Peired et al., 2016). MSCs are collected from patient's own bone marrow, fat, dental pulp, amniotic membrane, etc. (Cona, 2022). Among them, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) have high proliferative ability, and culture technology has also been established.
Stem cells, including MSCs, generally secrete various immunosuppressive and immunoregulatory factors to avoid self-attack by immune cells. They exert immunosuppressive effects at sites of inflammation in the body, can reduce inflammation, and prevent immune cells from attacking newly proliferating and differentiated cells in place of those damaged by inflammation wrongly (Cona, 2022). As a result, normal cells grow and lead to efficient regeneration of the kidney and other organs.
2. Stem cells do not cause rejection and side effects in patients' bodies.
Stem cells do not cause rejection in patients' bodies because they are obtained by culturing their own cells. Therefore, treatment with mesenchymal stem cells rarely causes side effects.
The main drawback of this treatment is the need for continuous dosing to maintain high stem cell numbers in the body, and without repeated treatments, the cells eventually become habituated and do not have the desired effect (Cona, 2022). However, studies show that the effects of high-quality treatment last about 5 to 10 years, greatly enhance patients’ body's abilities to heal themselves, and provide a strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive response (Cona, 2022).
3. Stem cell therapy is the last hope for renal failure patients.
Currently, there is no specific drug to cure renal failure, and only symptomatic treatment is available to slow the progression or prevent complications. As the disease progresses and kidney function drops below 10-15%, the kidneys can no longer cleanse the body of waste and toxins, which is life-threatening. In that case, we will have to be on dialysis for the rest of our lives. Dialysis for renal failure is basically performed for 3-5 hours at a time, three times a week, and continuously for the rest of one's life (Cleveland Clinic medical professional, 2021). Stem cells have the potential to treat kidney failure and are a patient's last hope.
CONCLUSION
Stem cells, especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), exert immunosuppressive effects at sites of inflammation in the body, can reduce inflammation, and prevent immune cells from attacking newly proliferating and differentiated cells in place of those damaged by inflammation wrongly, resulting in normal cells growing and efficient regeneration of the kidney and other organs. Moreover, stem cells do not cause rejection or side effects in patients' bodies because they are obtained by culturing their own cells. There is no specific drug currently to cure renal failure, so stem cell therapy is the last hope for patients with renal failure. I believe using stem cells to treat kidney damage would benefit these three reasons.
Thank you, professor. Have a nice day!! (585 words)
References
Cleveland Clinic medical professional. (2021). Dialysis: Types, how it works, Procedure＆ Side effects. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14618-dialysis
Cona, L. A. (2022). What are Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)? DVC Stem. Retrieved from https://www.dvcstem.com/post/what-are-mesenchymal-stem-cells
Peired, A. J., Sisti, A., & Romagnani, P. (2016). Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Kidney Disease: A Review of Clinical Evidence. Stem cells international, 2016, 4798639. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/4798639
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