EPOC

Chronic inflammatory lung disease (COPD) is a progressive condition that causes shortness of breath and is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways and lungs. The two most common forms of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which develop primarily as a result of long-term exposure to tobacco smoke, environmental pollution, or inhalation of chemicals. COPD reduces the body's ability to oxygenate the blood, which can lead to a significant decrease in quality of life and, in advanced stages, to respiratory failure. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, chronic cough with mucus, wheezing, and chest tightness. As the disease progresses, daily activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, become more difficult due to shortness of breath. Acute exacerbation episodes, characterized by a sudden worsening of symptoms, are common and may require hospitalization. Patients may also experience unintentional weight loss and extreme fatigue due to the extra effort required to breathe.

Mesenchymal stem cell treatment has shown potential in COPD due to its ability to reduce chronic inflammation and regenerate damaged lung tissue. MSCs have immunomodulatory properties that can decrease the inflammatory response in the airways, which improves lung function. Additionally, these cells can secrete growth factors that promote the regeneration of damaged alveoli, the small structures in the lungs responsible for gas exchange, which can improve the patient's breathing capacity in the long term.

Mesenchymal stem cell treatment for COPD offers the option of slowing the progression of the disease and improving patients’ quality of life. By reducing inflammation in the lungs and regenerating damaged tissue, patients may experience fewer episodes of acute exacerbation, an increased ability to breathe, and an improvement in their exercise tolerance. It may also decrease reliance on bronchodilator and steroid medications, thereby reducing their side effects. In the long term, this therapy has the potential to mitigate the progression of respiratory failure.