Muscular dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a genetic disease, with approximately 30 variations (9 major types and subtypes), all of which can result in both muscle weakness and muscle wasting/loss due to defects in muscle proteins leading to death of muscle cells and tissue and their replacement with fat tissue. MD types can differ in their onset (infancy, childhood, or middle to late thirties), but all of them are genetic diseases with similar symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Most MD types are multi-system disorders affecting not only the muscles, but also cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and nervous system, as well as endocrine glands, eyes and brain This genetic disease is different from other illnesses because there is currently no way to treat it because it is coded into the person’s DNA.

Current Treatment Methods

In spite of the progress in understanding of MD mechanism, there is no cure, and treatment options are limited to either steroids (used to inhibit MD progression) with many side effects, including osteoporosis, hypertension and even delayed growth; physical therapy for muscle strength and flexibility maintenance for a certain period of time, and tendon release surgeries. Gene replacement therapy is widely discussed, but it is still in the trial stage. 

Fetal Progenitor Cell Therapy in Muscular Dystrophy

Though not yet a cure, stem cell therapy is effective for slowing down the progression of this neuromuscular disorder and even regression of some symptoms, prevention or amelioration of MD-associated complications, and decent life quality maintenance.  

Fetal progenitor cells offer a great promise in muscular dystrophies as they

• have the capacity for dystrophin synthesis (this capacity has been proved by different researches worldwide)
• produce specialized cells needed by the patient’s body (endothelial, nervous, muscle)
• stimulate patient’s own, often dormant, stem cells, which results in double stem cell effect
• ameliorate defective muscle structure and function
• prevent muscle fiber destruction
• generate functional muscle fibers through engrafting in the muscles
• release chemical substances reducing inflammation (ALT, AST, CPK and LDH reduction) of muscle fibers 
• decrease cytotoxic activity of mesenchymal cells
• have immunomodulatory properties

Unique Integrated Muscular Dystrophy Treatment Approach

As it has been stated before, muscular dystrophy is a multi-system disorder, and treatment should be designed in the way ensuring optimal efficacy. The target areas for fetal progenitor cells are muscles with impaired dystrophin functioning, therefore direct administration of fetal progenitor cells into the muscles ensures their reaching the area of interest. Fetal progeniotor cells can diffuse from the blood into all muscle areas, therefore intravenous treatment is also very effective and minimally invasive.

Having considered all aspects, Infinity Clinic professionals developed the unique integrated MD treatment by combination of both methods (infusion and direct multi-point injections into the muscles) ensuring integration of stem cells into the muscles in two ways. The world’s largest variety of fetal progenitor cell types and fetal tissue extracts available for use allows for customized treatments for any MD type and MD-associated complications.  The effect of this treatment is incomparable with such from either of the methods used separately or when lesser cell types are used. 

Fetal Progenitor Cell Therapy Results in Muscular Dystrophy

Generally, our patients report the following results:

• slower disease progression (longer ambulation etc.)
• muscle power and bulk preservation
• higher muscle/exercise power and stamina
• improved gait quality (in ambulant patients)
• amelioration or restoration of certain skills (climbing stairs, combing, raising from the floor or getting up from sitting position)
• pseudohypotrophy and strain release
• ALT, ACT, CPK and LHD decrease indicative of lesser muscle destruction
• prevention and/or amelioration of MD-associated complications
• improved functioning of internal organs and systems
• mental and psycho-emotional amelioration, higher self-esteem 
• powerful immune boosting
• ability to lead more active and independent life (life quality improvement and maintenance)

Results by the Stage of the Disease

Muscular dystrophy patients, even those with DMD (Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy) can be helped at any stage of the disease, unless they are unable to travel.

Treatment of MD-Associated Complications

The most common life-threatening complications of MD are respiratory and heart failure caused by the restrictive changes in the lungs and heart muscle weakening respectively. 

Both mesenchymal stem cells and specific (lung-derived and cardiac) fetal progenitor cells used for MD treatment  

• migrate to the affected areas
• regenerate alveoli
• improve blood circulation in the lungs
• restore population of cardiomyoblasts
• restore connective tissue cells with the new and functional cardiomyocytes

The above results in

• reduced severity of the respiratory failure (forced lung capacity improvement)
• higher ejection fracture
• higher contractile activity of myocardium

Muscular Dystrophy Case Histories

Case 1

Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD)

Age: 19 y.o.

I Treatment: July 2013

II Treatment: June 2014

Manual Muscle Testing (MMT scale)

Muscular Dystrophy Functional Rating Scale (MDFRS)

Case 2

Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD)

Age: 26 y.o.

Manual Muscle Testing (MMT scale)

Muscular Dystrophy Functional Rating Scale (MDFRS)

Case 3

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

Age: 13 y.o.

Manual Muscle Testing (MMT scale)

Muscular Dystrophy Functional Rating Scale (MDFRS)

Case 4

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

Age: 6 y.o.

Manual Muscle Testing (MMT scale)

Muscular Dystrophy Functional Rating Scale (MDFRS)

Case 5

Congenital Muscular Dystrophy

Age: 4 y.o.

Manual Muscle Testing (MMT scale)

Muscular Dystrophy Functional Rating Scale (MDFRS)

Advantages of the Stem Cell Therapy in the Infinity Clinic

• optimal combination of fetal progenitor cell types and tissue extracts tailored for each case with regard to the main disease, its complications and co-morbidity
• extensive experience
• plasmapheresis (elimination of toxins, free radicals etc. from plasma, body preparation for better fetal progenitor cell engraftment)
• advanced safety screening of the cells
• no adverse effects
• no rejection risk
• no cancer risk

As with all the diseases, the earlier the treatment is started, the better results are to be expected. 

For inhibition of MD progression (especially in cases of DMD), for improvement of life quality and prevention of MD-associated cardiovascular and respiratory complications, it is recommended to combine stem cell therapy with proper physical therapy, massages, and breathing exercises.

For effect maintenance and optimal results, MD patients are recommended to repeat stem cell treatment on regular basis as per doctors’ recommendation. 

How to Apply for Treatment

We wish to offer you the best possible treatment, therefore we need to study the case thoroughly and kindly ask you to e-mail medical records available to info@infinityclinic.com.

We are looking forward to welcoming you for treatment and help you in the best possible way. 

Welcome to Infinity!