The immune system is responsible for protecting the body against harmful foreign agents. However, autoimmune disorders can cause the body’s immunity to attack its own healthy cells. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a result of autoimmune attack on the body’s joint. RA typically affects the small joints of the body, and is characterized by inflamed joint lining (also known as the synovium). RA may affect other parts of the body, such as skin, eyes and lungs. Early detection and treatment is essential to preventing organ damage due to RA.
The symptoms of RA include red swollen joints, pain, fatigue and prolonged morning stiffness. The condition usually affects both sides of the body.
Click to Vew NIH Study: Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy For Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: Safety and Efficacy.
The prevalence of RA is 1.5 million cases in the US. The common age range for developing RA is between 30 and 60 years, affecting three times more women than men. Causes of RA may be linked to genetic or environmental factors. Certain bacterial or viral infections may also lead to RA.
RA is diagnosed by physical examination of joints, blood tests to detect auto-antibodies and imaging tests (e.g. X-ray) to identify structural abnormalities.
Management
Although there is no cure for RA, current treatment seeks to alleviate symptoms and prevent the progression of disease. Self-care measures include staying active to improve joint flexibility and muscle strength, weight control and adequate rest. RA medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen and naproxen) and steroids (e.g.prednisone) to control inflammation. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate, leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine, can slow the progression of the disease. The recent availability of regenerative treatments, such as amnion-derived allografts, have show great promise in reversing the affects of RA.
Other medications that may help reduce immune activity are immunosuppressants, such asazathioprine and cyclosporine. However, patients taking these medications are susceptible to infection. Another class of drug that may be beneficial for RA are TNF-alpha inhibitors, which reduce the activity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), an inflammatory substance in the body. Examples of such drugs are etanercept, infliximab and certolizumab.
Patients who do not respond well to the above conservative measures, may require surgery. Total joint replacement, tendon repair and joint fusion surgeries are examples of available invasive procedures, which can improve mobility and function of the affected joints. Unfortunately, surgical interventions are also associated with long recovery times, chances of infection and the need for additional surgeries in the future. These risks can be minimized through use of regenerative treatments.
Click to View NIH Study: Therapeutic Effect of Human Amniotic Membrane-Derived Cells on Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Disorders
Regenerative Treatment of RA
Amnio therapy has been effective in treating RA. Amnion-derived therapies work by releasing essential Growth Factors, as well as recruiting stem cells, to the site of damage to promote tissue regeneration. Stem cells are primitive cells that can undergo differentiation to form different types of cells in the body, such as bone, blood, cartilage, tendon, ligaments, etc. These cells are responsible for healing tissue damages by generating new healthy cells. Unfortunately, with age, the body loses its ability to attract enough stem cells to the site of injury. Amnio therapy delivers a high concentration of proteins, carboyhdrates, cytokines, keratinocytes and growth factors to feed stem cells at the affected area to promote rapid, natural healing.
Click to View Article: Amniotic Membrane Used To Repair Human Articular Cartilage
Click to View NIH Study: Effect Of Human Amniotic Fluid On Bone Healing
It is estimated that around half of all RA patients are unable to experience adequate control of symptoms with current available treatments. In this context, amnio therapy holds great promise for RA patients to achieve healing through natural repair, and regeneration.