Stem cells to rid hair loss woes

It’s not called crowning glory for nothing. Lovely hair is truly an asset to flaunt. For those who are afflicted with hair loss problems, thinning and balding, there is good news. Ongoing research suggests that stem cells can be used to regenerate the growth of new follicles on the scalp.

Hair basics:
Hair follicles are tiny tubular cavities made up of tissues. Each hair follicle undergoes a growth cycle. There is a resting phase, after which the growth phase begins. But, in most cases, the growth phase does not kick off, and follicles get destroyed. This is when thinning or balding begins. 

Role of stem cells:
Research suggests that stem cells can now be used to stimulate the resting follicles to enter into the growth phase. A gene called Wnt has been discovered that has two basic functions:

1. Helps in the healing of wounds
2. Helps make new follicles.

Researchers experimented with the hair growth of mice. When a wound was created, the Wnt gene, sort of woke up, and signaled to the body’s stem cells to regenerate and repair. This resulted in producing hair follicles and new hair growth. 

While this may be the tip of the iceberg, there are many questions that researchers are faced with. The ways in which large numbers of stem cells coordinate the cycle of hair growth over thousands of hair follicles is quite amazing. How do all of those hair follicle stem cells know when to grow hair, and how do they know what their “neighbor” hair follicles are doing?

While research is continual, there is hope that the answers will soon be a boon to all those suffering from premature balding and thinning.

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A new source of stem cells

The top medical breakthrough of 2011, according to TIME magazine was the use of cloning techniques to produce stem cells. 

As opposed to reproductive cloning, Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), sometimes known as '"therapeutic cloning," involves transferring a nucleus from a donor cell, such as a skin cell, into an unfertilized egg. The injected egg is then induced to divide. When it reaches a few hundred cells, it can be used to derive embryonic stem cells that are genetically identical to the original donor. 

SCNT has great therapeutic promise because the resulting stem cells could be transplanted into the original donor and would be recognized as "self," thereby avoiding the problems of rejection. It will also avoid what is called immuno suppression. It means rejection of stem cells by the body’s immune system to unrelated donors. 

This can be path breaking as it redefines the very norms of stem cell transplants. Although stem cell therapy is gaining momentum, finding the right donor, whose stem cells match the DNA of the patient can be an uphill task. SCNT can play a crucial role in this scenario. This means that people suffering from various diseases, not including just blood disorders, are sure to have a fresh lease of life. Diabetes, Parkinsons, Spinal cord injuries and more will find a solution in SCNT.

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All about Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer ( SCNT )

Researchers are trying to prove that it is possible to use a cloning technology called somatic cell nuclear transfer, or SCNT, to make embryonic stem cells that match a patient’s DNA.

Here is how it works:

A somatic cell is taken, and the nucleus discarded.

An egg cell is also taken and the nucleus removed. The nucleus of the somatic cell is fused with the egg cell.

In a cloning process this new cell is implanted in a surrogate mother and the cells divide, making a blastocyst, and then an embryo is formed.

This process of SCNT is now being used in stem cell therapy. Using this process, embryonic stem cells can be transplanted to replace damaged cells in patients without rejection by the immune system.

Here’s the catch though –  Scientists have failed to get these cells to grow and divide beyond a very early stage in humans and other mammals.

Another school of research suggests that the genetic material from the host egg is not removed. The nucleus from the somatic cell is simply added. Surprisingly, these constructs have developed till the blastocyst stage.

The pros and cons of SCNT are many. The process paves way for a clearer understanding of cell lines and provides an opportunity to study the genetics of certain diseases. Nevertheless, somatic transfer is the first step to cloning. And this comes with various moral and ethical concerns.

Many, who are not opposed to embryonic stem cell research, have advocated for strong regulation of SCNT to “preclude implantation of any derived products for the intention of human reproduction, or its prohibition.”

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It’s a boy! It’s a girl! it’s a mom!!

Pregnancy and child birth can be momentous, at the same time overwhelming. Ask any mother -to- be waiting at the gynec’s and she will have a series of queries and doubts actually written down. Most of these crucial concerns often go unnoticed. Many questions loom large as she approaches d day.
Here is where ante natal classes come into the picture.

Conducted by child birth experts, Antenatal classes teach the expectant mother to facilitate easy and normal birth. They teach breathing techniques, massage techniques and birth positions to help in the process of labour. Pregnancy for many stifles social activity. These classes are a great way to bond with similar women, so the mom to be is in good cheer. 

To be dads are equally welcome at these sessions. When you are in labour, he would be the cheer leader encouraging you to push, telling you that you are crowning, and sometimes passing out witnessing the drama! To prepare him for the big day and to help him handle all the challenges that pregnancy brings, antenatal classes are truly a must.

Here are some faqs that antenatal classes address:

• What are the choices of pain relief that I can be advocated?
• What are some useful tips to handle back ache and nausea?
• What hormonal changes can I expect after child birth and how do I deal with them?
• All about breastfeeding
• How do I swaddle the baby and bond with the new born?

Lifecell conducts antenatal classes on the 7th January 2012 between 2.00 pm and 6.00 pm. Do contact 1800-103-5353 for details.

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