Most degenerative diseases have a genetic component, and when a chronic degenerative disease runs in the family, there is a strong likelihood that it will affect the children. Stem cell therapy can also be used to prevent or delay the onset of degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s, dementia, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and other illnesses in those with a family history of these ailments.

Stem Cells can repair or replace damaged or diseased cells in the body. There are several potential benefits to stem cell therapy, including:

• Stem Cells can differentiate and replicate into a variety of different cell types the body needs.
• Once administered, Stem Cells have a unique property to finding its way to damaged or diseased cells in the body and replace those damaged cells.
• Stem cells can produce substances that help to reduce inflammation in the body, through a pathway known as immunomodulation and “Paracrine Signaling” which may be beneficial in some degenerative conditions such as arthritis.
• Stem cell helps to improve functional recovery, in conditions such as post-stroke, spinal cord injuries, heart failure, or other major organ incompetency.
• Stem Cells can help delay the onset of degenerative diseases that runs in the family, such as osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s, dementia, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and other illness.
• Stem cell therapy may be able to reduce the need for certain medications, such as analgesics which can have their own side effects and complications.

Neurodegenerative diseases have devastating sequelae in one’s quality of life. To date, stem cell therapy is probably the only potential treatment modality which offers a ‘close to cure’ for neurodegenerative diseases. The fundamental mechanism underlying all forms of neurodegenerative diseases is progressive loss of structure, function or number of neurons, including death of neurons. Unfortunately, the current available treatment options, neither pharmacological nor neurosurgical, are efficient in delaying the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Stem cells can be used either to replace dead, damaged or dying neurons or to support damaged and dying neurons via a variety of routes.

Of the several types of neurodegenerative diseases, there is relatively more evidence for stem cell therapy in Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis compared to Huntington’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Low oxygen conditions, such as in a stroke, have an affinity to attract stem cell to react to the homing paracrine signals, and help regenerate neuronal cells. Additionally, paracrine signalling from dying or dead neurons via apoptotic bodies (from micro-vesicles) will also send out signals to attract stem cell to regenerate or replace the dying neurons.

There are several types of stem cells and sources or methods from where Stem Cells are obtained. Commonly used Stem Cells in degenerative illness include:

• Embryonic stem cells (ESCs)
• Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs)
• Mesenchymal stem cells or mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)
• Neural stem cells (NSCs)

ESCs are pluripotent and retain the ability to self-renew indefinitely with the capacity to differentiate into almost all cell types of the central nervous system. These cells are currently being used as a source of neurons the first clinical application of ESCs-derived tissue in the central nervous system was for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

The main breakthrough in regenerative medicine is the reprogramming of adult somatic cells to acquire similar characteristics as ESCs. These cells are referred to as Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs). These reprogrammed cells now offer promising avenue to generate autologous dopaminergic neurons for transplantation in stroke patients. Of note, the IPSCs platform has a distinct advantage over ESCs in the sense that IPSCs are autologous and therefore the transplantation does not require immunosuppressive agents.

MSCs, with pluripotent differentiation capacity, are an ideal source for cell transplantation in neurodegenerative diseases. MSC-derived functional neurons appear more promising in neurodegenerative diseases compared to ESCs given the less related ethical and immunorejection problems.
In preclinical studies of neurodegenerative diseases, MSCs were delivered via either intracerebral or intrathecal injection. Following transplantation, MSCs promote neuronal growth, decrease apoptosis, reduce release of free radicals, and suppress inflammation.
IIWAM Stem Cell Centre uses embryonic Mesenchymal stem cells in addressing neurodegenerative conditions.

Neural stem cells can be produced from foetal or adult central nervous tissue via the dissection of specific brain regions. Several growth media facilitate the proliferation of such cells when supplemented with mitogens such as epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor. Neural stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into oligodendrocytes, neurons, and astrocytes.

Secretome and exosomes are sometimes used as synonyms, but they are different. Secretome, also known as conditioned medium, are by-products of Stem Cell culturing. Secretomes have:

• Micro-vesicles
• Exosomes
• Growth factors
• Cytokines

Exosomes on the other hand are extracellular vesicles of fluid that plays an important role in intercellular communication and signaling by delivering RNA, lipid, and proteins to neighboring or distant cells.  Though both secretome & exosome helps in Paracrine Signaling, secretomes are superior to exosomes

Paracrine communication also known as Paracrine signaling is a natural method of communication between cells, either through hormones, exosomes, cytokines or electrical impulses. The signaling between the cells is an important element to facilitate anti-inflammatory, angiogenesis, wound healing, neurogenesis, tissue engineering, which collectively helps the body to repair itself.

Each of these cellular products have their advantages and disadvantages.

• Stem cells have the capacity to multiply and regenerate tissue and develop into any type of cell the body requires.
• Exosomes and the secretome, on the other hand, promote intercellular communication, aiding angiogenesis, wound healing, neurogenesis, tissue engineering, and body self-healing, but they are unable to replicate or regenerate new cells.

There may be times when we may combine Stem Cell therapy with secretomes or sxosomes to induce paracrine signaling for maximal benefit.

Patients coming from abroad are recommended to first have a teleconsultation with our medical staff. This will allow us to advice you on the number of days to stay and what to do and not to do before your treatment.

Out Treatment protocol:

• Patients are advised to refrain from strenuous activities, exercises, excessive alcohol use, and smoking for 72 hours prior to and following treatment.
• The medical team will have a thorough discussion to determine any illnesses that can be linked to a genetic trait.
• A through blood profiling is done and the results will be available in 24-hours. On rare occasions, a genetic screening may be necessary for the patient.
• About 100 million cells are injected, intravenously, over 20 to 30 minutes. In severe neuro-degenerative conditions, stem cells are injected into the spine by a neurologist for maximal results.
• It takes about 2 – 3 days to complete the consultation, investigation, preparation of cells, procedure, and post-procedure surveillance.
• The quantity of Stem Cells and frequency of treatment will depend on any existing or predisposing medical conditions.
• Most frequently, 100 million cells are used in the first therapy, and additional treatments are given 6 to 10 months later, depending on the conditions.
• Occasionally, depending on the results of the laboratory, genetic, and clinical assessments, the treatment may be combined with exosomes, hormone replacement, secretome, or supplements.

For neuro-degenerative prevention procedures, the entire process takes about 2 – 3 days to complete the consultation, investigation, preparation of cells, procedure, and post-procedure surveillance.

The IIWAM Stem Cell Centre’s team is headed by Professor Dr. Morthy, and supported by Dr Sarah Jane and Dr Reenisha Kaur.

Professor Dr. Morthy, graduated as a medical doctor with MBBS with a focus in aesthetic and regenerative medicine. He received his training in Cell Transplant therapy at the renowned Paul Niehan’s Clinique in Vevey, Switzerland. He was later  trained by Dr Alan Mintz in hormone replacement therapy at Nevada. Since then, Prof. Dr. Morthy has been using cellular & hormone replacement therapy on hundreds of patients, including those with osteoarthritis, post-stroke patients, neurological illnesses such as Parkinson, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other crippling conditions. He began teaching Stem Cell and Regenerative medicine since 2016, and both the City & Guilds of London Institute and the CPD Standards Office (UK) assures the quality of the training program. For his achievements in the academic world, he was awarded an honorary diploma in intellectual progress from the Socrates Almanac Society, Oxford and a professorship from European University (Paris). He is also an Honorary life member of the International Society for Stem Cell Research and a member of New York Stem Cell Foundation.

The International Institute of Wellness & Aesthetic Medical Centre also specializes in advanced cosmetic procedures such as:

• Botulinum Toxin (Botox) for facial lines & wrinkles
• Botulinum Toxin (Botox) for facial recontouring
• Botulinum Toxin (Botox) for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Botulinum Toxin (Botox) for chronic pain management
• Dermal filler for facial lines & wrinkles
• Dermal filler for facial augmentation
• Barbed suture (thread lift) for non-surgical face lift
• Barbed suture (thread lift) for facial augmentation
• Skin boosters – Profhilo, GAURI, Restylane, Rejuran, PDRN, PN and others
• Laser skin rejuvenation
• Laser hair removal
• Lipolysis (fat removal)
• Stretch mark & cellulite treatment

All aesthetic procedures are carried out by highly trained and licensed medical doctors only.

References & published Clinical Citations

• Jin, Hye Jin, Yun Kyung Bae, Miyeon Kim, Soon-Jae Kwon, Hong Bae Jeon, Soo Jin Choi, Seong Who Kim, Yoon Sun Yang, Wonil Oh, and Jong Wook Chang. 2013. Comparative analysis of human mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord blood as sources of cell therapy. International journal of molecular sciences, no. 9 (September 3). doi:10.3390/ijms140917986. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24005862
• Manosroi, Aranya, Pensak Jantrawut, Toshihiro Akihisa, Worapaka Manosroi, and Jiradej Manosroi. 2011. In vitro and in vivo skin anti-aging evaluation of gel containing niosomes loaded with a semi-purified fraction containing gallic acid from Terminalia chebula galls. Pharmaceutical biology, no. 11. doi:10.3109/13880209.2011.576347. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22014267
• Rinaldi, S, M Maioli, G Pigliaru, A Castagna, S Santaniello, V Basoli, V Fontani, and C Ventura. 2014. Stem cell senescence. Effects of REAC technology on telomerase-independent and telomerase-dependent pathways. Scientific reports (September 16). doi:10.1038/srep06373. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25224681
• Chen, Claire C, Linan Liu, Fengxia Ma, Chi W Wong, Xuning E Guo, Jenu V Chacko, Henry P Farhoodi, et al. 2016. Elucidation of Exosome Migration across the Blood-Brain Barrier Model In Vitro. Cellular and molecular bioengineering, no. 4 (July 7). doi:10.1007/s12195-016-0458-3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28392840
• Chen, Wen, Mingcan Yang, Jian Bai, Xiang Li, Xiangrui Kong, Yu Gao, Lili Bi, Li Xiao, and Bingyi Shi. 2017. Exosome-Modified Tissue Engineered Blood Vessel for Endothelial Progenitor Cell Capture and Targeted siRNA Delivery. Macromolecular bioscience, no. 2 (December 4). doi:10.1002/mabi.201700242. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29205878
• Sung, Bong Hwan, and Alissa M Weaver. 2017. Exosome secretion promotes chemotaxis of cancer cells. Cell adhesion & migration, no. 2 (January 27). doi:10.1080/19336918.2016.1273307. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28129015
• Urbanelli, Lorena, Sandra Buratta, Krizia Sagini, Giuseppina Ferrara, Marco Lanni, and Carla Emiliani. 2015. Exosome-based strategies for Diagnosis and Therapy. Recent patents on CNS drug discovery. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26133463