By: Dr. James D Utley & Dr. Daniel S Briggs • May 14, 2024 • auragens.com
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photograph by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Live Nation
Auragens, Panama City, Panama – Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne recently opened up about his use of human umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cells (huMSC) to improve his quality of life. Mr. Osbourne has struggled with serious medical problems that have impacted his mobility, most notable of which is Parkinson’s disease.
He goes on to talk about his tremendous results, where he is seeing significant therapeutic gain, and objective improvement in both functional and cognitive capabilities and, key to his primary diagnosis, a return of his mobility.
The problem with the article is it fails to discuss the WHY behind his improvement and, curiously, focuses on urging caution and promoting a false narrative of fear, rather than an investigation into the success or its validity.
As the piece starts with a quote from Ozzy Osbourne’s daughter, “After one treatment…what has happened and the progress that he’s made, is mind-blowing,” we would expect a scientific or medical explanation to these benefits to educate others experiencing similar issues as to whether this a potential option to improve their health as well; But that does not follow.
So, in our ongoing effort to bring transparency to this very important field and to remove and mitigate the misinformation, Auragens is once again providing the true context behind the story in hopes that those in need are armed with the information to make an informed decision.
We will not, in this response, address statement’s such as “stem cell therapy…is largely experimental and unproven” or do a full rebuttal using the 40 years of laboratory work with Mesenchymal Stem Cells or 20 years of clinical applications, and thousands of patient results. Other than to say that for this treatment to be called either “experimental” or “unproven” is either poor reporting, a lack of intellectual curiosity to do the research, or plain disingenuous.
The focus here instead is on a general Parkinson’s patient, the potential benefits as backed by science and medicine, and supported by literature and studies. The referenced article missed this opportunity but as the leading Stem Cell research and treatment facility Auragens is in a unique position to provide that context:
Parkinson’s disease, a chronic and progressive neurological disorder, impacts millions globally with severe motor and non-motor symptoms due to the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Recent research have shown mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a treatment avenue, with several studies exploring their potential in managing and potentially reversing the effects of this debilitating disease.
Research has shown that intravenous transplantation of adipose-derived MSCs can significantly promote the production of dopaminergic neurons and enhance spatial memory. Ghorbanian et al. (2023) demonstrated these effects in rat models of Parkinson’s disease, suggesting that MSC therapy could provide dual benefits by addressing both cognitive impairments and motor symptoms that are characteristic of the disease. Furthermore, beyond their regenerative capabilities, MSCs offer immunomodulation and cell proliferation benefits, highlighting a multifaceted role in combating Parkinson’s disease. According to Mitchell (2023), these cells could substantially modify the disease progression through multiple pathways, making them a powerful candidate for therapeutic applications.
In their comprehensive study, Biglari et al. (2023) discuss the application of MSCs across various neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. They provide an extensive survey of different MSC sources, detailing their cellular characteristics and therapeutic potential, while also addressing the challenges that lie ahead in harnessing their full potential. Mahmoudi et al. (2023) evaluate current advances in stem cell replacement therapies for Parkinson’s disease, suggesting that MSCs could replace degenerated neurons and restore neurological functions. This represents a significant breakthrough in the field, pushing forward the possibilities of stem cell therapies in clinical settings.
Salahi and Qin (2022) assess the efficacy and risks associated with MSC therapies compared to traditional treatments like Levodopa. Their analysis suggests that MSC therapies might offer a more comprehensive treatment with fewer side effects, advocating for a shift in treatment paradigms towards more integrative and less invasive options. Additionally, the role of MSC-derived exosomes in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease has been highlighted by Mosaddeghi Heris et al. (2022). They discuss the crucial role these exosomes play in neuroprotection and neuronal repair, suggesting a novel and potentially more effective avenue for treatment through biotechnological innovations.
Liu et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review on the application of MSC-derived exosomes in Parkinson’s disease treatment, emphasizing their role in facilitating intercellular communication and offering a new non-invasive treatment approach. Moreover, Schwerk et al. (2015) explored the long-term effects of MSC therapy in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease, finding significant neurogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Importantly, their study also noted improvements in cognitive functions, which are critically impacted in Parkinson’s disease patients.
These studies collectively underscore the immense potential of MSCs to provide a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to treating Parkinson’s disease. While further research and clinical trials are necessary to fully establish efficacy and safety, the advancements in MSC therapy offer new hope for developing more effective treatment strategies for this disease in the future. As research continues to unravel the complexities of Parkinson’s disease and the therapeutic potential of MSCs, it is becoming increasingly clear that this innovative approach may hold the key to improving the lives of millions affected by this debilitating condition.
References To Continue the Learning: Ghorbanian, S., Mirzaeian, L., Abrari, K., Mozdziak, P. S., & Ghorbanian, M. T. (2023). Intravenous Transplantation of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promoted The Production of Dopaminergic Neurons and Improved Spatial Memory in A Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease. Cell Journal.
Mitchell, S. A. (2023). Mechanism of Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Multitarget Disease-Modifying Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease. Current Neuropharmacology.
Biglari, N., Mehdizadeh, A., Yousefi, M., & Soltani-Zangbar, M. S. (2023). Application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in neurodegenerative disorders: History, findings, and prospective challenges. Pathology Research and Practice.
Mahmoudi, J., Nasrolahi, A., Shabani, Z., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., & Salehi-Pourmehr, H. (2023). Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: What Promise Does it Hold? Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy.
Salahi, S., & Qin, Q. (2022). Stem Cell-based and Advanced Therapeutic Modalities for Parkinson’s Disease: A Risk-effectiveness Patient-centered Analysis. Current Neuropharmacology.
Mosaddeghi Heris, R., Shirvaliloo, M., Abbaspour-Aghdam, S., Hazrati, A., Shariati, A., Rahmani Youshanlouei, H., Jadidi Niaragh, F., Valizadeh, H., & Ahmadi, M. (2022). The potential use of mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes in Parkinson’s disease treatment. Stem Cell Research & Therapy.
Liu, S.-F., Li, L.-Y., Zhuang, J., Li, M.-M., Ye, L., Chen, X., Lin, S., & Chen, C. (2022). Update on the application of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review. Frontiers in Neurology.
Schwerk, A., Altschüler, J., Roch, M., Gossen, M., Winter, C., Berg, J., Kurtz, A., Akyüz, L., & Steiner, B. (2015). Adipose-derived human MSC induce long-term neurogenic and anti-inflammatory effects and improve cognitive but not motor performance in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease.