Updated January 20, 2017 – Crohn’s disease along with ulcerative colitis “UC” are considered the 2 most common classification of inflammatory bowel diseases or IBD.  This autoimmune disease such as pancreatitis, Fibromyalgia, Type 1 diabetes and Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis that cause our cells to attack the healthy immune system affecting vital functions of the digestive tract.

IBD is a group of disorders that create prolonged inflammation of our digestive tracts including the:

• Esophagus

• Stomach

• Mouth

• Small & large intestines

Treat Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s With Stem Cells

Our digestive tracts are designed to break down our foods to allow natural extraction of nutrients while simultaneously removing any and all waste by products. Prolonged Inflammation in our digestive tract severely disrupts this process resulting in Diarrhea, Bleeding ulcers (hematochezia), severe pain, bloating, cramping, weight loss, multiple complications, higher risk of colon cancer, anaemia and in some cases death. If left untreated the symptoms can spread to other parts of the body resulting in joint pain, arthritis, eye inflammation, fevers, mouth sores and skin disorders.

Possible complications associated with ulcerative colitis and crohn’s include:(Martínez-Montiel, Gómez-Gómez, and Flores 2014)*

• Fistulas ( ulcers in the bowel wall that create holes between and inside the digestive tract)

• Bowel obstruction

• Malnutrition

• Colon cancer

• Rectal Cancer

• Rupturing of the Intestines

• Shock from rapid blood loss during sudden and extended bout of bloody diarrhea

Causes and Diagnosis of IBD

The definitive causes and triggers of IBD is still in debate but it is widely accepted internationally that the IBD family has a certain genetic predisposition and can be directly linked with over 165 specific genes in our bodies. Most doctors believe the culprit is a combination of environmental and hereditary conditions that are triggered by environmental factors that result in a sudden bacterial shift in the patient resulting in an abnormal immune response. External factors like stress and dietary habits can significantly worsen the symptoms of IBD however they typically do not cause the disease.(Sánchez-Berná, Santiago-Díaz, and Jiménez-Alonso 2014)*

There are several tests available today that can quickly diagnose “UC” ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease. The most common method uses a simple Blood test to trace symptoms of inflammation or anemia. Stool samples can also be used for finding signs on an infected digestive tract. Diagnosis can be confirmed using a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy test that uses long thin tubes that have lighted cameras to enter a patients intestine for visual inspection and/or to take a tissue samples i.e. “biopsy”. Other minimally invasive tests to verify intestinal issues include MRI Scans, CT or CAT scans, Ultrasound Scan or capsule endoscopies.

TREATMENT PRECAUTIONS

For medical evaluation purposes candidates must have an recent medical diagnosis of IBD along with updated test results from MRI,CT,Ultrasound scans or Capsule endoscopies so our gastroenterologist can determine the scale and scope of the damage to the digestive tract.

Conventional Treatments for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s

Traditional treatment for IBD typically requires a wide variety of pharmaceutical medications ranging from:

• Corticosteroids & Prednisone

• Biologic therapies

• Antibiotics

• Immunosuppressive medications

Patients with a chronic condition or a serious diagnosis may require surgery to remove the large intestine resulting in a life long need for a colostomy bag which is an eternal or internal plastic pouch for fecal and waste removal. A large number of Crohn’s disease patients often require strictureplasty surgery and or corrective surgery to repair fistulae, strictures to stop the bleeding in the intestines. A strict change in diet is also usually needed to help reduce stress and inflammation. Patients are usually recommended to avoid eating greasy foods, processed meat products, spicy foods,cream sauces or foods with high fiber.

Reverse Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis With Stem Cells

Our hospital for stem cells offer a safe, new and permanent method of treating chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as crohn’s & ulcerative colitis. Stem cell therapy for crohn’s helps to reset and repair the immune system using lab enhanced/differentiated Hematopoietic mesenchymal stem cells that do not induce interferon-γ production, lymphocyte proliferation or up-regulation of the activation markers. The infused MSCs cells help to improve the autoimmune disease by helping to promote a change in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines to the beneficial anti-inflammatory cytokines at and near the site of injury. The Enhanced Mesenchymal cells are 100% histocompatible (Le Blanc et al. 2003)* to the recipient and safe which helps to quickly restore red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels in most patients. The enriched cells act like a patch that covers any ulcer regions in the intestines allowing them time to heal properly.(Ciccocioppo et al. 2015)*

Transplantation of enhanced mesenchymal stem cells also helps to restore the patients natural immunocompetency while also stopping the degeneration of the autoimmune process from continuing. Typical patients suffering with nonspecific ulcerative colitis will require a multi-stage treatment plan over a period of 10-14 nights at our stem cell clinic in Bangkok.

Benefits of Stem cell therapy for Crohn’s Disease – Is it a Cure?

Treat the source not the symptoms. The regeneration center helps fight inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease on the cellular level that has little to no side effects,no chance of rejection,does not require general anesthesia or invasive surgery and can be used to successfully treat patients suffering from a wide variety of autoimmune diseases and Inflammatory bowel diseases such as:

• Diversion colitis

• Behçet’s disease

• Collagenous colitis

• Indeterminate colitis

• Lymphocytic colitis

• Microscopic colitis

• Ischemic colitis

• Lymphocytic colitis (de la Portilla et al. 2012)*

• Digestive System Diseases

• Gastroenteritis

• Crohn’s Disease

• Intestinal Diseases

• Gastrointestinal Diseases

• Ulcerative Colitis

• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

The treatment using stem cells offers tangible hope for patients looking to eliminate the pain safety however please note that stem cells cannot treat the genetic nature of a disease instead looks to treat the condition on the cellular level.

The goals of our Stem Cell therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases are to:

• Relieve the pain and symptoms of Crohn’s disease

• Decrease the system inflammation while treating the ulcers in the small and large intestines

• Restore the digestive system health and function

• Enhance the bodies diverse microbiome

• Eliminate the bouts of rectal bleeding,abdominal cramps, constipation and diarrhea

• Restore the patients health and balance

Mesenchymal Cell Transplants UC, Crohn’s Disease and IBD – OVERVIEW

Treatment Method: 
Number of Stem Cell Injections:2-6 Enriched Mesenchymal Infusions per treatment stage. Multiple stages may be required for severe gastrointestinal (GI) tracts

Types of Cell Infusion: Hematopoietic Mesenchymal Enriched Stem cells. The exact protocol for the patient will depend on a variety of factors such as age and underlying condition. For less severe conditions we offer autologous stem cells from peripheral blood or adipose tissue. Severe conditions will require immunologically matched Allogeneic stem cells from Umbilical cord blood, amniotic membrane or placental derived hematopoetic stem cells. To qualify for treatment a medical review will be required. Depending on the patients physical needs the treatment cell infusions will be made via guided scanners (if/when necessary) or through a non-invasive and painless IV “Intravenous Drips” that will not require anesthesia or overnight stay at a hospital. Direct injections or Sub Q injections may be required in some cases.

Rehabilitation Post: Treatment:Physical rehabilitation for treatment is optional depending on the patients travel/time constraints. Complete physical rehab programs can be provided for patients at Bumrungrad international hospital or BnH International hospital from two to four hours per day and 7 days per week. Medical visas for longer travel and extended stay apartments or hotel accommodations for the patient and family can also be requested.