The world is in desperate need of new therapeutic modalities for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases cause the loss of control of essential daily activities and the loss of independence. People afflicted by Parkinson’s Disease have a daily struggle to manage symptoms which include, but are not limited to, extreme, uncontrollable shaking and severely rigid and painful muscles. These symptoms not only decrease the quality of life for patients, but also create a significant emotional burden for their families. Current therapeutic measures are pharmacological in nature and symptomatically manage the condition, but do not stop the pathological process of the disease. The modern biomedical research community is investigating many avenues of cellular therapeutics. Of these cellular therapies, UC-MSCs are in a unique position of targeting the goal of neural restoration and not merely the symptomatic management of a disease. The clinical application of Regenerative Medicine Thailand has the potential to positively change the therapeutic landscape for patients with neurodegenerative conditions.
Deep Pathophysiologic Parkinson’s Disease Mechanism
The complexity of Parkinson’s Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases is due to the multitude of dysregulated highly complex biochemical pathways that exist within the human C.N.S. Parkinson’s Disease primarily results from the loss of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra pars compacta. This region of the C.N.S. establishes a neural pathway within the basal ganglia that facilitates voluntary control over movement and is mediated by the release of dopamine. The loss of these dopaminergic neurons results in a pathological dysregulation in the circuitry of the basal ganglia. Within the surviving neurons, misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins create Lewy bodies which are highly toxic and cause significant oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. These activated microglia release a variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines which further contribute to the already pathological and significant neuronal apoptosis. This cyclical destruction damages the synaptic networks critical for motor control. With falling dopamine levels, patients begin to present motor symptoms, such as bradykinesia, and postural instability. Restoration of this molecular breakdown requires the boldest interventions using UC-MSCs from Regenerative Medicine Thailand to replace the affected neurons and control the localized neurotoxic inflammation.
Figure 1: Deep Pathophysiologic Parkinson’s Disease Mechanism
Traditional Treatment Parkinson’s Disease Limitations
The current pharmacological standards of care predominantly focus on the replacement of damaged dopamine by administering combinations of levodopa and carbidopa. Other treatments may include the administration of dopamine agonists and monoamine oxidase B inhibitors to assist patients in improving their functioning. These treatments are necessary for the first stages of the management of symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, they are also necessary for the later, more disabling, symptoms of the disease. The chronic administration of levodopa is highly debilitating due to the resistance of levodopa and the movement disorders associated with it. As an alternative, deep brain stimulation may be offered, but this is a highly invasive surgical procedure involving major risks such as hemorrhage and infection. The most significant limitation of these treatment strategies is the lack of altering the progression of the disease. The irreversible destruction of the dopaminergic neurons continues despite the administration of these treatments. This provides an urgent impetus to the medical management of Parkinson’s Disease to find new therapies beyond symptomatic management to novel therapies using UC-MSCs within Regenerative Medicine Thailand to restore the lost dopaminergic neurons.
Cellular Intervention Replacements and the future clinical horizon for Parkinson’s Disease in Thailand
Moving away from pharmacological treatment strategies to directly Cellular Intervention represents the most drastic change in the management of Parkinson’s Disease. Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) are a prime example of such therapies in Regenerative Medicine Thailand. Mesenchymal cells remain undifferentiated in tissue until challenged by injury. Unlike conventional pharmaceutical interventions, these cells allow for treatment in previously inaccessible locations. They chemically migrate toward damaged neural tissues and, in the case of inflammation, a phenomenon called homing occurs where the cells are directed to the injury site.
When these mighty UC-MSCs arrive at the substantia nigra, they release a potent mix of neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. The proteins induce the remaining dopaminergic neurons to survive and encourage the proliferation of neural stem cells. The anti-inflammatory properties of the introduced cells induce a great immunomodulatory effect. It calms the aggressive microglial response and protects the neural cells from the toxic inflammatory environment. The cells also repair energy production in neural cells by transferring healthy mitochondria using tunneling nanotubes. As a result, the injury to the production system of cellular energy is healed. The protocols of cellular therapy are the first-choice candidates for biologically rebuilding the damaged structures of the nervous system. It is of high priority to examine the extended uses of this cellular therapy actively in Regenerative Medicine Thailand. These advanced protocols are in the focus of regenerative medicine.
The future clinical horizon for the treatment of neurodegeneration like Parkinson’s Disease in Southeast Asia appears to have great potential. The projects of Regenerative Medicine Thailand are leading the initiatives in the rest of the region by implementing safe and precise systems for the regulation of their clinical trials on cellular therapies. Such proactive national support in Regenerative Medicine Thailand speeds clinical validation of UC-MSCs for Parkinson’s Disease and positions the nation as a leader in making neural restoration globally available.
Figure 2: Limitation of traditional treatment compared with Cellular intervention with UC-MSCs