Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a disease characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, defects in muscle proteins (dystrophin concentration is greatly reduced), and the death of muscle cells and tissue. Diagnosis is based on muscle biopsy, laboratory evaluation (increased levels of creatine phosphokinase) and EMG findings. There are nine major types of MD and most types of MD are multi-system disorders with manifestations in body systems including the heart, gastrointestinal system, nervous system, endocrine glands, eyes and brain. MD has a strong genetic link. Treatment options are limited. There has been a keen interest in using stem cells to regenerate muscle tissue and there has been success in using human stem cells for MD in mice. There is hope that adipose derived stem cells may be effective in regenerating muscle damaged by MD.
Muscular Dystrophy and Cell Surgical Network
The Cell Surgical Network has developed a specific SVF deployment protocol that attempts to utilize the potential regenerative properties of SVF (rich in mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors). SVF is systemically deployed and is expected to hone to damaged areas preferentially. This is all done as an outpatient at the time of SVF harvesting and procurement. The entire cellular surgical procedure takes approximately three hours.
