According to researchers at UC Davis and the Maxwell Gluck Equine Center at the University of Kentucky, research in regenerative medicine technology is advancing rapidly. For both people and horses, this news is very welcome. Data are now accumulating from several medical disciplines that multi potent stem cells have the potential to facilitate tissue repair and help restore former function.
In addition, direct mechanisms in which the introduced stem cells are expected to differentiate into the correct cell types, synthesize and organize the appropriate extracellular matrices and regenerate normal tissue structure to achieve tissue repair are receiving attention at a number of research centers.
As researchers create living, functional tissues to repair or replace tissue or organ function lost due to injury, disease, age or congenital defects, regenerative medicine will improve the quality of life by supporting and activating the body's natural healing capacity.
Damaged tissues and organs in the body will be stimulated to heal themselves, restoration of movement after spinal cord injury, replacement of skin for burn victims, regeneration of muscle and ligaments in injured limbs are all occurring in a not-too-distant time frame.
As treatment protocols are developed and scientifically supported, horse owners and veterinarians should pay attention to these new developments. Researchers see the potential for stem cells to make significant contributions to many systemic medical diseases common to horses.
Diseases such as laminitis, lymphangitis, neuromuscular degeneration, colic and traumatic wounds will benefit from improvements in the quality and speed of recovery as a result of these new technologies.
On the other hand, as Dr. Gregory L. Ferraro of UC Davis points out, "Like all new areas of technology, stem cell therapy has the potential for misuse. The field of regenerative medicine is highly complicated and requires the involvement of skilled basic scientists to avoid ineffective therapeutics."
Certainly, horse owners and veterinarians have much to look forward to as research adds new dimensions to both horse and human health.