Controlling the amount of oxygen that stem cells are exposed to
can significantly increase the effectiveness of a procedure
meant to combat an often fatal form of muscular dystrophy,
according to Purdue University research. A genetic mutation in
patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy causes the constant
breakdown of muscles and gradual depletion of stem cells that
are responsible for repairing the damage and progressive muscle
wasting. A healthy stem cell tends to duplicate in a regular
pattern that creates one copy of itself that continues to
function as a stem cell, and a differentiated cell, which
performs a specific function. In a healthy person, a torn or
damaged muscle would be repaired through this process. An image
of a muscle implanted shows pre-existing muscle fibers (green
cells only), along with fibers created by transplanted stem
cells (green fiber with red membrane). Blue areas represent
cells' nuclei. (Purdue University image/Weiyi Liu and Shihuan
Kuang) Stem cell therapy - implanting health