New research has discovered that mesenchymal stem cells from cord blood might be beneficial for patients with severe eye and corneal disease.  The study transplanted the stem cells in an attempt to restore transparency to the cloudy corneas of laboratory mice.

Corneal disease is currently treated through cornea transplants.  Unfortunately, there is only a limited supply, leaving many patients without options.

The human stem cells were transplanted into the corneal stroma of the mouse eyes.  The cleared the cloudiness from the corneas of the mice.  In addition, these cells survived for more than 3 months without much sign of graft rejection.  With any type of transplantation, rejection is one of the biggest concerns.  The body tries to reject things that it finds foreign.  In fact, when the study explored human umbilical hematopoitic stem cells, they were often rejected.

Umbilical blood stem cells hold amazing potential for the treatment of a number of different diseases.  This is just one example of the amazing potential for stem cells.  To learn more about future potential for cord blood treatments, click here.

An organization called the Environmental Working Group (EWG) commissioned a study to examine toxic chemicals that are found in the umbilical cord blood of babies.  The study found up to 232 different chemicals, including Bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to disruptions in the endocrine system which can cause reproductive, neurological, and behavioral problems.

The EWG found BPA in 9 out of the 10 cord blood samples it tested from racial and ethnic minority groups.  It is the first time that BPA has been found in cord blood.

While this will not impact cord blood collection and storage, it does demonstrate what children are being exposed to, even before they are born.  The EWG believes that any chemical that is found in cord blood should be given the highest priority for tough regulatory action to protect the public health.

The state of Oklahoma is looking at developing a public cord blood bank.  Unfortunately for residents of the state, there are not enough births in Oklahoma to justify a state public bank.  Right now, for Oklahoma and other smaller states, the only option for cord blood banking is going through a private bank.  While public banking is definitely a great option for some families, it isn’t widespread enough to make it a viable option for everyone.  This is another area where private banks come through for families.