Stem cell therapy for atherosclerosis | Overview including symptoms and causes

Atherosclerosis is a major health risk in modern society. In this condition, the blood vessels harden and narrow, resulting in depleted blood flow, possibly leading to serious complications such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction. Conventional countermeasures have focused on lifestyle improvements and drug therapy, but in recent years, stem cell therapy, a regenerative medicine technique, has attracted attention as an option that directly addresses the causes of atherosclerosis. In this article, we provide basic knowledge about atherosclerosis, describe its symptoms and causes, and explain how stem cell therapy regenerates and repairs blood vessels and reduces the risk of complications.

What is atherosclerosis?

Arteriosclerosis refers to a condition in which the blood vessels lose elasticity and become hardened and narrow when lipids such as cholesterol and triglyceride build up on the inner walls of the arteries. The buildup, called plaque, is formed inside the blood vessels; when the plaque ruptures, the blood vessels become prone to clot formation, which could obstruct blood flow, potentially leading to serious cardiovascular events. Underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, as well as aging and lifestyle habits (i.e., smoking, irregular eating habits, and lack of exercise), are the main causes of atherosclerosis. *1

*1 Reference: Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Net Insurance

Symptoms of atherosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis itself has almost no subjective symptoms in the early stages. However, if blood vessels narrow considerably or plaque rupture leads to clot formation, the following complications or symptoms may occur.

• Angina pectoris or myocardial infarction: Angina pectoris occurs when a coronary artery is partially blocked, while myocardial infarction occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked. It is characterized by chest pain and pressure.
• Cerebral infarction: Occlusion of a cerebral artery causes sudden hemiplegia and language disorders.
• Peripheral arterial disease: Patients with stenosis of arteries in the lower limbs are likely to develop symptoms such as leg pain when walking and ulceration.
• Renal impairment: Progression of renal artery stenosis may cause aggravation of hypertension or renal failure.

As atherosclerosis progresses, symptoms often develop suddenly; thus, periodic examinations and risk factor management are very important. *2

*2 Reference: NHK

Causes of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is attributed to several factors, including the following main factors:

• • Hypertension: The higher the pressure applied to the blood vessel, the more likely the vessel wall is burdened, making the endothelium more susceptible to injury.
  • Dyslipidemia: Increased LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels promote plaque formation.
  • Diabetes mellitus: Hyperglycemia damages the vascular endothelium, leading to the progression of atherosclerosis.
  • Smoking: Nicotine and carbon monoxide cause vasoconstriction, which accelerates atherosclerosis.

Obesity and lack of exercise: Excessive calorie intake and muscular weakness exacerbate lipid metabolism and increase the risk of atherosclerosis.

• Genetic factors: When many family members have cardiovascular diseases, the individual may be genetically predisposed to the development of atherosclerosis.

 

The overlapping of these factors for many years lead to the accumulation of plaque in the blood vessels, causing the arterial walls to lose flexibility and become narrower and harder. *3

*3 Reference: NHK

Stem cell therapy as a promising radical treatment for atherosclerosis

Currently, the use of stem cell therapy is attracting attention as a treatment for atherosclerosis.

In this section, we will explain what stem cells are in the first place, while touching on the advantages and other aspects of stem cell therapy.

What is stem cell therapy?

The treatment of atherosclerosis has mainly focused on lifestyle improvements, drug therapy, catheter therapy (stent placement) at stenotic sites, and bypass surgery. In recent years, stem cell therapy, a regenerative medicine technique, has attracted attention as an option to repair damaged blood vessels and promote new blood vessel formation. Stem cells are expected to perform multifaceted actions such as inflammatory suppression and angiogenesis owning to their ability to self-renew, undergo multilineage differentiation, and secrete cytokines. In fact, it has been suggested that fundamental improvements in atherosclerosis can be attempted using stem cells.

Advantages of stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy is expected to display the following advantages:

• Promotion of angiogenesis: Stem cells secrete growth factors that may help create new microvessels to replace blocked blood vessels.
• Suppression of inflammation: Stem cells regulate immune balance and suppress vascular wall inflammation, thereby slowing the progression of atherosclerosis.
• Low risk of side effects: When autologous stem cells are used, relatively fewer rejection responses and major adverse reactions are expected.
• Synergistic effects with lifestyle improvements: More effective vascular care can be expected by continuing diet/exercise therapy and drug therapy while undergoing stem cell therapy.

Reasons why stem cell therapy is effective

Various physiological activities of stem cells may not only stop the progression of atherosclerosis but also repair damaged vascular endothelium and create new vascular networks. Specifically, the following mechanisms are attracting attention.

• Differentiation into vascular endothelial cells: Stem cells differentiate into vascular endothelial cells, possibly replacing the damaged areas in the arterial walls.
• Cytokine-mediated inflammatory suppression/immunoregulation: Substances secreted by stem cells alleviate vascular inflammation and improve endothelial function.
• Angiogenesis: Stem cells and growth factors promote the formation of microvessels, helping develop collateral vessels outside the stenotic site.

However, not all patients will see definite results, and individual differences, disease conditions, and management of risk factors, as well as the research stage affect the treatment outcome.

Flow of treatment at the Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation

At the Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation, the following steps are taken when administering stem cell therapy for atherosclerosis.

1. Initial counseling and tests: We will assess the condition of atherosclerosis through the patient’s medical history and symptoms, blood tests, angiography, etc., and carefully consider the therapeutic indication of stem cell therapy based on this assessment.
2. Stem cell collection and culture: When autologous cells are used, stem cells will be harvested from sources such as bone marrow and adipose tissue and cultured in a clean room. The safety and quality of stem cell culture will be confirmed.
3. Design of the treatment plan: The method of administration (e.g., intravenous infusion, catheter), frequency, and schedule of administration will be determined according to the patient’s disease condition. We will also integrate lifestyle improvements and concomitant medications with stem cell therapy.
4. Stem cell administration and follow-up: After actually introducing stem cells into the body, follow-up blood tests and imaging tests will be performed on a regular basis, possibly in collaboration with physicians at other hospitals, to monitor atherosclerosis progression.

Possibility of treating atherosclerosis using stem cells

Atherosclerosis is a pathological condition in which blood vessels harden and narrow because of multiple factors including aging, lifestyle habits, and underlying disease, which may lead to serious complications such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction. Stem cell therapy has multifaceted actions such as angiogenesis and inflammatory suppression, and is thus expected to offer a radical therapeutic option for atherosclerosis. The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation proposes stem cell therapy according to the patient’s condition with the aim of stopping the progression of atherosclerosis as well as improving vascular function and blood flow.

The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation offers stem cell-based regenerative medicine as a medical institution approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. *4

If you are interested in stem cell therapy, please contact our hospital for consultation.
The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation carefully selects evidence-based treatment and offers regenerative medicine according to each individual’s concerns based on novel comprehensive treatment strategies. To optimize the results, oral therapies such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or peptide therapy can be combined with stem cell therapy, if preferred.

*4 Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation – a stem cell therapy clinic in Tokyo

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[1] Therapeutic Method
The treatment involves harvesting and culturing stem cells from the patient’s adipose tissue and then injecting them locally to the affected area or administering them via intravenous infusion.
[2] Risk of side effects
At the time of fat collection: Adverse reactions such as internal bleeding, swelling, postoperative infection, postoperative scar, and pain at the injection site may be observed.
At the time of stem cell administration: Adverse reactions such as pain at the injection site, allergic reaction, and pulmonary embolism may be observed.
[3] Contact information
The Regenerative Medicine Division, Korokai Medical Corporation
5th floor, Precious 18, 4-14-6 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
TEL:03-6277-4650
[4] Pricing
This treatment is a private therapeutic strategy that is not covered by public health insurance.
For culture of approximately 100–180 million stem cells
*Depending on the number of stem cell cultures obtained from each individual, it may be less than 100 million stem cells.
1 cycle costs 2.5 million yen (tax included)
3 cycles cost 7.2 million yen (payment in installments: 2.5 million yen for the first and second cycles, 2.3 million yen for the third cycle)
5 cycles cost 11.5 million yen (tax included) (payment in installments: 2.5 million yen for the first through fourth cycles, 1.5 million yen for the fifth cycle)
For culture of approximately 200–280 million stem cells
*Depending on the number of stem cell cultures obtained from each individual, it may be less than 200 million stem cells.
1 cycle costs 3.8 million yen (tax included)
3 cycles cost 11.1 million yen (tax included) (payment in installments: 3.8 million yen for the first and second cycles, 3.5 million yen for the third cycle)
5 cycles cost 17.5 million yen (tax included) (payment in installments: 3.8 million yen for the first through fourth cycles, 2.3 million yen for the fifth cycle)
Please consult us for further details.
[5] Route of acquisition
Stem cells are cultured at the affiliated CPC.
[6] Presence or absence of devices/drugs approved for the indications in Japan
No approved drugs for the indications are available in Japan.
[7] Safety information from other countries
There are no reports on safety in other countries.
*Significant risks may not have been identified.
[8] The fact that it has not been approved
Drugs used in this treatment are yet to receive approval in accordance with the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act.
[9] Unapproved drugs/devices
Public aid systems (such as Relief Systems for Adverse Drug Reactions and Infections Acquired through Biological Products) are not applicable to unapproved drugs and devices.
[10] Notification of regenerative medicine provision plans
To perform this treatment, we have submitted the notification of regenerative medicine provision plans to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in accordance with the Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class II Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3210146
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class II Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan, No. PB3230187
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class II Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan, No. PB3240017
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class II Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan, No. PB3230218
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