Your Monthly Miracle

I was just given the opportunity to write about something I know A LOT about and I am thrilled.

My masters' degree was entirely about the in-vitro effects of endocrine pharmaceuticals. I would consider myself quite knowledgeable when it comes to endocrinology, toxicology and cellular biology.

Some of the things I learned about during my education were stem cells. Stem cells are special cells naturally produced by the body that have not yet differentiated into a specific cell type (the original cell that is not yet a muscle cell or a skin cell, for example). The primary research into stem cells has been their role into treatment of disease and understanding cancer. While stem cell research has been a controversial issue, harvesting stem cells may have been part of the issue in the past. In the beginning of this type of research, it was believed that the most "useful" stem cells might originate from embryonic cells (in utero) and were called blastocysts. Thus there were many protests into this type of research as it contested the traditional view of the rights of the fetus. Today, it has become clearer that the most useful cells to use for research and disease treatment are referred to as progenitor or adult stem cells. The controversy surrounding this type of cell research is not as large because no destruction of an embryo is involved AND the methods to harvest these cells are generally considered safe.

Today I would like to tell you all about a new type of adult stem cell therapy - well it is sort of new. For millions of years women have been dynamically producing adult stem cells with each menstrual cycle. During the menstrual cycle, the endometrium grows into a thick, blood vessel-rich layer which is an optimal environment for the implantation of a blastocyst upon its arrival in the uterus. If there is no implantation, and no pregnancy, then the endometrial layer is shed during a woman's regular monthly menstrual cycle.

In 2006, evidence of rare cells were identified in human endometrial cell populations and published in 2007 (1). These initial studies have provided the first functional evidence for epithelial and stromal stem/progenitor cells in human endometrium. More recent studies have suggested that these progenitor cells are responsible for monthly endometrial regeneration (2). These studies also provide the impetus to discover specific markers that will enable the prospective isolation of these special cells (1).

C'elle is a private service that cryo-preserves and stores your stem cells. They will provide you with a collection kit that is non-invasive and easy-to-use and then they store your endometrial cells in order to preserve your own progenitor cells. These cells can successfully be used to treat these diseases which effect millions of people around the world. Your cells can help preserve the lives of you AND your family members. Whatever happens in life, be sure you are prepared for what comes before you. When you invest in your personal future and health care, you invest in your family's future and well-being, too.

One client describes why she decided to use C'elle's services here: C'elle Client Testimonial

If I could help more sick people I would try to remove all of the environmental factors that contribute to these diseases (and that is what I do) but realistically I can't. What we can all do instead is help to improve the types of cures and treatments that are available to people that suffer from cell disease. We can do this by talking to our friends about the new treatments available and donating our time and money to promote research and the use of stem cells. Even educating ourselves so that we can enlighten others is helpful. When stem cell treatments become mainstream they will become more affordable and more people will benefits from the made cures available by them.


For more information about: C'elle or About the Science

References:

1. Gargett, CE, Chan, RWS, Schwab, KE, AF Gargett, Caroline E., Chan, Rachel W. S., Schwab, Kjiana E. Endometrial stem cells. CURRENT OPINION IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY. 2007. 19: 4 p. 377-383.
2. Gargett, CE, Chan, RWS, Schwab, JE, AF Gargett, Caroline E., Chan, Rachel W. S., Schwab, Jiana E. Hormone and growth factor signaling in endometrial renewal: Role of stem/progenitor cells. MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY. 2008. 288: 1-2 p. 22-29.