Chronic alcohol abuse has serious consequences for the liver that are recognized globally. Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) is a huge public health concern that has severe outcomes. The chronic alcohol user experiences a drastic decline in quality of life and is completely incapacitated due to the overwhelming fatigue. The continuous damage to liver tissue by toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism results in the rapid advancement of cirrhosis that is irreversible. The prognosis is so dire that there is no other option but to develop newer therapies that have the potential to restore functionality to liver tissue even if it is partially necrotic. The greatest advancement in Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) treatment is the use of UC-MSCs, as this highly refined Stem Cell approach contains the primary potential for cellular restoration to hepatic microenvironments.
Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) Mechanism
To understand the efficacy of the Stem Cell therapy, it is essential to understand the Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) process. Ethanol and its byproduct acetaldehyde are continuously formed and highly reactive to healthy cells within the liver. These byproducts result in oxidative stress that cause the peroxidation of lipids and large-scale cell death. This cell death is recognized by Kupffer cells which initiates the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This signals a rapidly amplifying cascade of inflammation that activates hepatic stellate cells. These cells form myofibroblasts and start laying down fibers across the hepatic lobules that are highly unregulated and cause fibrosis. The architecture of the liver is completely distorted and vascular perfusion is rapidly inhibited, resulting in dire portal hypertension. The combination of oxidative stress and inflammation creates a hostile environment for the organ that prevents its bioengineering and normal metabolic functions.
Traditional Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) Approaches and Restrictions
Current Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) protocols are focused on reducing the complications of organ damage. The mainstay of treatment is the complete abstention from alcohol. Medical practitioners prescribe steroids in order to control the excessive immune response and provide nutritional support. In the presence of significant contraindications to steroids, pentoxifylline can be utilized to provide support in the inhibition of inflammation. Traditional treatment approaches have significant drawbacks. For example, the use of steroids is complicated by the risk of significant and even fatal infections in the context of dysregulation of the immune system. These traditional approaches are intended to slow the progress of fibrosis. However, they do not reverse fibrosis or restore hepatic tissue. When the fibrosis reaches end-stage cirrhosis, organ transplantation is the only method of survival. Given the extreme shortage of organ donors and the complex nature of the surgery, this method of treatment is, for most, unobtainable.
Cellular Interventions Provide a Great Advancement
Regenerative medicine changes the treatment approach radically and focuses on the restoration of tissues. In the case of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD), Umbilical Cord-Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UC-MSCs) have the potential to become an unparalleled treatment option. After intravenous administration, the cells migrate to the injured area within the liver. There, they secrete a multitude of bioactive molecules, including growth factors and proteins. This type of signaling will stop the death of liver cells.
Activated hepatic stellate cells trigger fibrogenesis. UC-MSCs inhibit stellate cell activity and promote the release of enzymes that dissolve fibrotic scar tissue. Stem Cell therapy also induces neovascularization and fortifies angiogenesis to supply blood to healing organs. Finally, under the influence of administered cellular components, macrophages switch to the anti-inflammatory and reparative state. These processes are part of a unique regenerative therapy and explain why this approach leads to tissue restoration, in contrast to conventional therapies that only postpone organ failure.
Thailand as a Medical Hub
The Southeast Asia region has a strong position for the globalization of advanced medical tourism and the first stage of regenerative therapies. Thailand is in a unique position to become the first major global center of UC-MSCs, as other countries lack Thailand’s highly developed cellular infrastructure, existing Stem Cell therapies, and Thailand’s highly developed and flexible cell therapy regulations. Thailand’s world class research institutes are able to work with international biotechnologists to improve cell culture techniques. It is cheaper for patients from other countries to travel to Thailand for treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) than to receive treatment in their own countries. Thailand’s government is trying to gain control over the biotechnology market in Southeast Asia by providing more funding. Clinical research for liver regeneration is developing quickly in Thailand’s major hospitals. More new treatment methods in clinics for patients are needed. These new methods are on the way.
Treatments for progressive liver failure should address more than just the symptoms. Structural collapse of organs is a major challenge. The introduction of UC-MSCs into liver regeneration research in Thailand is promising. The use of Stem Cell protocols targets the fibrotic cascade and promotes structural restoration of the organ toward normal.
The sophisticated mechanisms of Stem Cell action target the toxic inflammatory environment of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD). As Thailand quickly becomes the global authority in the implementation of these advanced therapies, the potential of these Stem Cell protocols offers hope for patients seeking recovery from Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD). The goal of halting the pace of liver destruction is rapidly becoming obsolete as regenerative cellular medicine provides the opportunity for total restoration of organ function.