Definition of stem cells
Stem cells are primary cells that are found in a variety of cells and include embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and cord blood stem cells.
These cells change power and transform themselves into cells similar to neurons, chondrocytes, hepatocytes, and osteoblasts, to be used in the future to treat various diseases such as osteoarthritis and spinal cord injuries.
But there are problems with the immune response, storage, cancer, and so on that need to be addressed. In fact, stem cells have two key characteristics that distinguish them from other cells.
* Self-renewal (self-renewal)
* Differentiation (differentiation)

Self-renewal
Self-regeneration means that the stem cell is able to reproduce itself for a long time. This means that these cells have the ability to multiply and divide continuously and are not limited in this regard.
It should be noted that in some organs, such as the intestine and bone marrow, stem cells divide regularly to repair worn or damaged tissue, but in other organs, such as the pancreas and heart, stem cells divide only under certain conditions.

Distinction
Having this property in the stem cell enables it to become differentiated cells with specific function under special conditions in the body or laboratory environment. Stem cells are important for living things for many reasons.
Stem cells are generally divided into three categories based on their characteristics:
1. Embryonic stem cells
2. Mature stem cells
3. Cord stem cells

Stem cells are high-potential progenitor cells that have the ability to regenerate and differentiate into several cell lines. Stem cells can differentiate into many cells, including cartilage cells.
Cord tissue stem cells, also known as Wharton gel mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs), are a very good choice for cartilage regeneration because of their easy access and non-invasive nature.

Many clinical trials have been conducted and are still ongoing on the effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cell injections in the treatment of osteoarthritis and repair of damaged tissue.
A number of these studies have used WJ-MSCs as cellular sources. Overall, the results of studies have shown that the use of these cells in the treatment of osteoarthritis has been safe and effective.
The scientists also found that the long-term pain caused by the disease was significantly reduced.
As you grow older, your natural stem cells will not grow and heal on their own as they did when you were very young. Hence, stem cell injections, especially amniotic stem cells, show their value for joint regeneration.

First, consider these proven facts about amniotic stem cells and amniotic stem cell fluid:
These special cells are a combination of stem cells with several potentials that will not form a tumor.
– These cells are immunologically superior, which means they will not cause a reaction, even if they come from completely unrelated donors and recipients.
These cells contain much more stem cells than adult bone marrow.
– These cells have anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesive properties, thus preventing the formation of wound tissue.

– These cells have an antimicrobial nature.
These cells contain compounds that fight immune-boosting agents to reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases (for example, rheumatoid arthritis).
These cells have shown their ability to heal wounds that were previously thought to be incurable.

These cells contain growth factors that stimulate stem cells to differentiate into different types of cells – such as those you want to see revitalized, for example, cells of an old or damaged joint.
Although amniotic stem cells can grow into a variety of tissues, they still need the right environment to grow. For example, a joint with poor blood flow cannot help new tissue grow.
Also, if there are not enough or needed growth factors, tissue regeneration will be minimal and minimal. Therefore, the addition of platelet-rich plasma to amniotic stem cell fluid has been considered by researchers.

Stem cell injection is one of the treatment methods for the treatment of joint diseases, the injection of which stimulates cartilage and joints to make new cells. If the stem cell injection is done at the right time, it can have a great impact on the healing process. But this does not mean definitive treatment. It is best to inject stem cells early in the disease. Because if osteoarthritis has progressed, it does not have much effect on the healing process and one can not expect a miracle for treatment.
How does a stem cell fight osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, the main cause of which is destruction of joint tissue due to pressure or trauma to the joint area.
Overweight, sedentary lifestyle, aging and trauma are the most important causes of osteoarthritis, a disease that gradually causes inactivity and weak muscle strength.
This disease mostly affects the knees and unfortunately in recent years it has become more prevalent not only among the elderly but also among the Iranian youth.

What is the role of stem cells in the treatment of this disease?
“Cartilage-injected cells that are injected into the knee sit in cartilage-shaped areas that have been destroyed by local destruction, and over time regenerate those areas.
“In this way, the damaged joint heals over time, the pain decreases, the ability to move increases, and the person achieves relative recovery.”
In medical treatments, painkillers are usually used to reduce the pain, which in fact eliminates the symptoms of the disease and not the disease itself.
Sometimes cartilage-building drugs are used, but these drugs do not have the efficiency and speed of cartilage repair by stem cell injection.

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee with stem cells
Due to limited studies, double injection of stem cells into the affected knee 6 months apart in patients with moderate knee osteoarthritis can help reduce inflammation of the knee joint, reduce knee pain, and slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis.
It has also been observed that injecting stem cells into one knee in a patient with osteoarthritis in both knees can reduce the progression of osteoarthritis in both knees.
Stem cell therapy helps patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in the following ways: Reduce inflammation and thus slow the progression of osteoarthritis of the knee. And reduce the patient’s knee pain.

Which patients are not recommended cell therapy?
1. Terminal diseases (diseases that can not be treated) or cancer
2. The amount of hemoglobin in the blood is low.
3. Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.
4. Patients who test positive for AIDS or hepatitis B virus.
5. Adults with thalassemia