Research shows stem cells relieve severe asthma

Edmonton, AB – Clinical scientist Dr Bernard Thébaud and his research team have discovered that they can heal the lungs of mice with chronic and acute asthma.

“Stem cells pump out healing juices which we gave to the mice via their noses,” he says. “We were thrilled to see that the healing juices opened the airways, restored healthy breathing, and reduced inflammation in the lungs.”

The scientific findings, published recently in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, build on years of previous research done by his team to find treatments for lung disease in premature babies. An abstract of the article is attached to this story.

“The most exciting aspect of this is, we do not have to use the stem cells themselves to repair the lungs. The powerful liquid that stem cells produce heals the lungs,” says Dr Thébaud, a clinical scientist at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. He is also a neonatal specialist for Alberta Health Services, and a Canada Research Chair in Translational Lung and Vascular Development Biology.

“Our focus is to take this research and create a new medication, not only for people with asthma but other lung diseases as well,” he adds. “The ultimate goal is a super-inhaler that will heal inflammation, boost healthy cells and give people back their ability to breathe easy and lead a healthy life. I hope within five to 10 years, we can also reduce the number of people who die from asthma.”