-
Essay / tissue regeneration - 1295
The number of heart patients is increasing day by day. The need for new therapies is increasing because the heart muscle does not have the ability to regenerate, especially after being damaged. Heart transplantation is one of the solutions to heart failure. However, the number of heart donors is low compared to demand and other complications must also be considered (Leor et al. 2005). Therefore, scientists have been working hard to find alternative therapies, namely cell transplantation to create and engineer cells that could eventually be used as an alternative in the treatment of heart diseases. There are few heart diseases involved in the application of tissue regeneration, but this article will only cover myocardial infarction and dysfunctional heart valves. Our own immune system, such as macrophages, helps restore damage to the heart, for example damage caused by myocardial infarction. The responsibilities of macrophages are to clean the infarcted area and activate other cells, such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and progenitor cells, to facilitate the healing process of blood vessels (Mercola et al. 2011). Tissue regeneration in today's world uses stem cell technology to repair, replace and regenerate the cells of the injured organ or tissue. It is a combination of engineering and life science principles to create something capable of proliferating and regenerating itself as well as maintaining and improving its functions. This goal can be achieved by applying functional cells, additional scaffolds, stimulating growth and signaling molecules to the necessary areas. The scaffold serves as a physical support for cells as well as an organizer function guiding cell growth and differentiation (Leor et al. 2005). Leor (2005) rep...... middle of article...... the use of a bioresorbable scaffold involves the selection of a certain cell phenotype and its implantation onto a permeable substance before be implanted in pulmonary position. It is assumed that the scaffold degenerates as the cells grow. The latest approach is to construct a mold for leaflets similar to the aortic shape using collagen constructs (Vesely 2005). The main concern when applying stem cell therapy is the process of choosing the right cell, as in the right stages of cell development. which will suit the patient in terms of safety and effectiveness (Mercola). Stem cells can cause cancer by proliferating uncontrollably or altering genetics (Weber et al. 2012). The heart is a complex organ; further research and clinical trials still need to be done, although we can see some light in the area of tissue regeneration..