Treatment of atherosclerosis | Overview including symptoms and causes

Blood vessels are the “lifeline” that supplies nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. However, when atherosclerosis progresses, the blood vessels become hard and narrow, increasing the risk of various serious diseases. In particular, life-threatening pathological conditions may develop, such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction, and thus, early detection and countermeasures are important.
Until very recently, core interventions comprised re-evaluating lifestyle habits, drug therapy, and catheter therapy; however, it has been considered difficult to regenerate hardened blood vessels in a fundamental sense. In recent years, “stem cell therapy” has attracted attention as a type of regenerative medicine, and it has been suggested that regeneration and repair of blood vessels and tissues may fundamentally improve atherosclerosis. In this article, we explain how stem cell therapy repairs blood vessels, while describing the symptoms and causes of atherosclerosis and conventional treatment methods.

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis refers to a condition in which the blood vessels lose elasticity and become narrow when lipids such as cholesterol and triglyceride build up on the inner walls of the arteries. When the buildup of lipids in blood vessels, called a plaque, increases in size or ruptures, the vessels become more susceptible to clot formation, which can impede blood flow and increase the risk of various complications.
Typical complications include angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, caused by coronary artery stenosis, and cerebral infarction in which the cerebral artery becomes clogged, all of which are deeply related to lifestyle disorders such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. A major feature of the condition is that it progresses quietly, with almost no symptoms in the early stages. *1

*1 Reference: Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Net Insurance

Symptoms of atherosclerosis

In many cases, atherosclerosis itself progresses without subjective symptoms; serious symptoms appear when the condition has considerably advanced.
The major symptoms appear as complications, as detailed below.

• Angina pectoris/myocardial infarction: Stenosis or occlusion of the coronary artery may cause chest pain and shortness of breath. When the attack progresses, it can lead to acute myocardial infarction, which may be life-threatening.
• Cerebral infarction/stroke: Cerebral infarction is a typical complication, where sudden hemiplegia or language disorder occurs as an artery in the brain becomes blocked.
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD): Vascular stenosis in the lower limbs causes intermittent claudication during walking, accompanied by leg pain and numbness.
• Renal impairment: Renal artery stenosis resulting in insufficient blood flow may cause renal failure and hypertension as complications.

If these symptoms appear even once, it is highly likely that atherosclerosis has already progressed to a considerable degree. *2

*2 Reference: NHK

Causes of atherosclerosis

Major factors leading to the progression of atherosclerosis are the following lifestyle habits and accumulation of underlying diseases.

• Hypertension: The load on the vascular wall is large, making the endothelium susceptible to injury.
• Dyslipidemia: Increased LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels promote plaque formation.
• Diabetes mellitus: Hyperglycemia damages the vascular endothelium, thus accelerating atherosclerosis.
• Smoking: Nicotine and carbon monoxide cause vasoconstriction and increase oxidative stress.
• Obesity and lack of exercise: Metabolism is affected because of excessive energy intake and muscular weakness, worsening lipid and blood sugar regulation.
• Stress: Disturbed autonomic nerve function and hormone balance cause increased blood pressure and abnormal hormone secretion.

When these factors overlap for a long period of time, lipids accumulate in blood vessels, plaques are formed, and atherosclerosis progresses. *3

*3 Reference: NHK

Stem cell therapy as a promising radical treatment for atherosclerosis

Stem cell therapy is attracting attention, and it holds promise as a treatment for atherosclerosis.

Here, we explain the potential and benefits of stem cell therapy.

What is stem cell therapy?

“Stem cell therapy” is attracting attention in the context of atherosclerosis treatment. Stem cells act to secrete growth factors involved in angiogenesis and inflammatory suppression, and they have been suggested to have the potential to radically improve atherosclerosis by repairing the damaged vascular wall.

Advantages of stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy is expected to display the following advantages:

• Promotion of angiogenesis: Growth factors secreted by stem cells help form new blood vessels and improve blood flow to ischemic areas.
• Inflammatory suppression: Immunomodulatory effects of stem cells may reduce inflammation in blood vessels and suppress the progression of plaque formation.
• Lower risk of side effects: Autologous stem cells can reduce the burden on patients, as rejection and significant adverse reactions are less common.
• Combined use with other treatments: More effective measures against atherosclerosis can be expected when combined with other treatments such as drug therapy, catheter therapy, and surgery.

Reasons why stem cell therapy is effective

Stem cells not only have the ability to self-new and undergo multilineage differentiation but also allow for multifaceted approaches to regenerate and repair the tissue environment by secreting growth factors and immune regulators. Atherosclerosis leads to a vicious cycle, in which damage to the vascular wall makes the vessel more susceptible to plaque formation. Repair of the vascular endothelium by stem cells is expected to slow inflammation and plaque progression.
Furthermore, the formation of a new microvascular network (collateral circulation) is believed to help secure the blood supply from sites other than stenosis sites, alleviating ischemia. However, the effects vary from individual to individual, and the control of risk factors and the patient’s general condition greatly influence the treatment results.

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

The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation provides stem cell therapy for atherosclerosis by implementing the following process.

1. Initial consultation and tests: Detailed evaluation of the degree of atherosclerosis and the site of ischemia will be performed based on the patient’s medical history, blood tests, and diagnostic imaging (e.g., ultrasound, CT, MRI)
2. Stem cell collection and culture: The patient’s own stem cells will be harvested from the bone marrow or fat and cultured under strict control. Their growth and quality will be evaluated.
3. Development of the treatment plan: The method (e.g., intravenous infusion, local injection) and frequency of stem cell administration will be determined according to the disease condition and complications. Additionally, lifestyle modification and concomitant drug therapy will be considered.
4. Administration of stem cells and follow-up: After returning the stem cells into the patient’s body, the degree of stenosis of the blood vessel and the presence or absence of adverse reactions will be observed by performing tests on a regular basis. Additional dose administration may be performed, if necessary.

Potential of stem cells as a treatment method for atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a disease with a high risk of development of serious complications such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction if left untreated. Stem cell therapy holds promise as a type of regenerative medicine that aims to regenerate hardened or damaged vascular tissue through its multifaceted effects to promote angiogenesis and inflammatory suppression.

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, a combination of oral therapy, such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or peptide therapy, and stem cell therapy will be used.

*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 at 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
*Since the number of stem cells that can be grown varies from person to person, 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 each 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 each for the first through fourth cycles, 1.5 million yen for the fifth cycle)
For culture of approximately 200–280 million stem cells
*Since the number of stem cells that can be grown varies from person to person, 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 each 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 each for the first through fourth cycle, 2.3 million yen for the fifth cycle)
Please consult us for further details.
[5] Route of acquisition
Stem cells will be 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 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3210146
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3230187
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3240017
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3230218