Treatment of deafness by stem cell method

The results of a team of scientists from the University of Sheffield (UK) showed that they have achieved important steps in using human embryonic stem cells to cure deafness in mice. This finding opens hope for a therapy for deaf people in the near future.

The September 12 issue of Nature reports that scientists tested a method of stem cell transplantation from human embryos in 18 completely deaf mice on one ear, and the results were very good. positive.

First, deaf mice were injected with a drug that destroys the auditory nerve, causing deafness on one ear. Later, the scientists implanted about 50,000 human embryonic stem cells into these mice 'deaf ears. These stem cells have been injected with a special chemical solution to turn into twisted nerve cells, in order to match the structure of the cells in the cochlea.

The results showed that, after 10 weeks, the hearing of these mice improved by an average of 46%, through the evaluation of electrical signals in the brain. More surprisingly, up to one-third of the tested mice had 90% recovery. The level of improvement in mouse hearing is highly dependent on the new "integration" of the new cell with the helical shaped cells in the inner ear.

The results were quite positive, but Dr. Marcelo Rivolta, the lead researcher, said the method could also bring about unforeseen risks because when new cells are implanted in any of them. Other types of cells in the human body can produce tumors. In addition, not to mention the recipient's immune system resisted the penetration of the above cells. This is an unrecognizable risk within the first 10 weeks of the study.

Mr. Marcelo Rivolta hopes that the first clinical trial can be conducted in deaf patients in the next few years. However, scientists will have to continue further studies to ensure the safety of the method.