Stem Cells Discovered in Breastmilk

By Christine Pollock

Breastmilk has been found to contain stem cells, according to research presented in January at the International Conference of the Society for Research on Human Milk and Lactation, in Perth, Australia. Dr. Mark Cregan, lecturer in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Western Australia, sees this significant finding as a stepping stone to new, undiscovered benefits of breastmilk.

Stem cells are "generic" cells that can make exact copies of themselves and also have the ability to produce specialized cells. While adult stem cells are generally specific to certain cell types such as skin and blood, embryonic stem cells are more versatile because they can produce cells for almost any tissue in the body. However, the use of embryonic cells for research is controversial.

Several years ago, while investigating the intricacies of cells in breastmilk, Cregan wondered if it also contained the cells' precursors. He and his team cultured cells from breastmilk and discovered nestin, a stem-cell "marker." In addition to nestin, Cregan and his team found one population of stem cells with the potential to, like embryonic stem cells, differentiate into multiple cell types.

"We already know how breastmilk provides for the baby's nutritional needs, but we are only just beginning to understand that it probably performs many other functions," says Cregan. He is eager to see major changes in the next few years as scientists harvest these stem cells, in a completely ethical manner, to research treatment for conditions such as autoimmune diseases, cancer, spinal injuries, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease.

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Stem Cell Implant to the Brain Helps Improve Parkinson's Symptoms: Presented at SIR

WASHINGTON, DC -- March 24, 2008 -- All of the patients with Parkinson's disease who were treated by implantation of stem cells into the brain have achieved substantial improvement in terms of beneficial changes that were apparent within 1 week of the implant procedure.

"Our 1 patient who has reached 1 year following the implant has achieved an 80% improvement in his Parkinson's disease-related symptoms," said Augusto Brazzini Armestar, MD, Director, Instituto Brazzini Radiologos Asociados, Lima, Peru.

In his featured poster presentation on March 18 here at the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting, Dr. Armestar said the implants of purified autologous bone-marrow-derived stem cells were attempted in hopes that the cells would implant in areas of the brain depleted of neurotransmitters.

"Stem cells from bone marrow have the ability to differentiate into neurons and other tissues," he said. "Usually stem cells migrate to sites of injury. However, they do so in very small quantities, and so full regeneration is not gained."

Dr. Armestar and his colleagues attempted to get more of the stem cells into the brain by using interventional radiological techniques. Stem cells were first harvested from patients' bones and were sent to the pathology laboratory to be separated and purified, at which time they were returned to the operating theatre.

Read more from the source: http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852571020057CCF68525741600511A24