Dongyan Kou et al., 2024: The application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on stem cells therapy to treat various diseases
Dongyan Kou # 1, Qingyu Chen # 1, Yujing Wang # 1, Guangyu Xu 2, Mingcheng Lei 2, Xiaobin Tang 1, Hongbin Ni 3, Feng Zhang 4
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, CNPC Central Hospital, Langfang, 065000, PR China.
2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 139 Ziqiang Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050051, PR China.
3Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China.
4Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 139 Ziqiang Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050051, PR China.
#Contributed equally.
Abstract
In the last ten years, stem cell (SC) therapy has been extensively used to treat a range of conditions such as degenerative illnesses, ischemia-related organ dysfunction, diabetes, and neurological disorders. However, the clinical application of these therapies is limited due to the poor survival and differentiation potential of stem cells (SCs). Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), as a non-invasive therapy, has shown great application potential in enhancing the proliferation, differentiation, migration, and recruitment of stem cells, offering new possibilities for utilizing ESWT in conjunction with stem cells for the treatment of different systemic conditions. The review provides a detailed overview of the advances in using ESWT with SCs to treat musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, genitourinary, and nervous system conditions, suggesting that ESWT is a promising strategy for enhancing the efficacy of SC therapy for various diseases.
Stem Cell Res Ther. 2024 Aug 26;15(1):271. doi: 10.1186/s13287-024-03888-w.
PMID: 39183302 PMCID: PMC11346138
Comments 1
The article explores the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as a preconditioning strategy to enhance the effectiveness of stem cell (SC) therapies for treating various diseases.
Stem cells, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have regenerative properties and the ability to differentiate into multiple cell types, making them a promising therapeutic tool. However, challenges such as poor retention and survival of stem cells after transplantation limit their efficacy.
ESWT is highlighted as a non-invasive, efficient, and easily administered method that can enhance stem cell functions, including proliferation, migration, recruitment, and differentiation.
Therapeutic principle: The therapy works by delivering shock waves that stimulate cells, promoting anti-inflammation, angiogenesis, and cellular regeneration. ESWT is shown to significantly improve stem cell behavior, making it a valuable adjunct for tissue repair and regeneration.
Applications: The article covers how ESWT is applied across various fields:
1. Musculoskeletal diseases: ESWT enhances the regeneration of cartilage, bone, and muscle, showing positive effects in conditions like osteoarthritis and bone defects.
2. Cardiovascular diseases: ESWT improves endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) function in heart disease, reducing infarct size and promoting tissue repair in coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.
3. Renal dysfunction: In kidney diseases, ESWT enhances the mobilization and recruitment of EPCs, contributing to the repair of vascular damage.
ESWT improves the biological activity of stem cells by modulating pathways like the MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways.
It has also been found effective in wound healing, urinary tract diseases, and neurological conditions, supporting tissue repair and regeneration.
Future research: Despite its promise, the article notes that more research is needed to determine optimal ESWT parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity, duration) and to refine its application in combination with stem cell therapies. Overall, ESWT holds significant potential to enhance stem cell therapy and offers a novel, non-invasive approach to treating a variety of diseases, though further studies are required to establish standardized treatment protocols.
This article provides an excellent overview on the current status of ESWT-induced stem cell activation. Unfortunately, the authors did not specifically focus on recent articles on wound healing following Fournier`s gangrene, treatment of intrinsic stress incontinence or hypogonadism. This would complete this review.
Jens Rassweiler