Amniotic tissue grafts are the future of healing. Why? Because they are natural, safe, and very effective. In the emerging world of regenerative medicine, they can help the body grow new, healthy cells and tissues. Today in this blog post, let’s learn about the use of amniotic grafts in regenerative medicine.
What is meant by an “amniotic tissue graft?”
According to doctors, a graft is a ‘biological bandage.’ It is a supercharged healing patch used to fix wounds and injuries and help with surgeries.
Components of a tissue graft
A graft has the following components associated:
Growth factors: The growth factors including EGF, FGF, and VEGF help in cell proliferation and healing.
Cytokines: They modulate immune response and reduce inflammation in the body.
Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins: They aim to attach, grow, and differentiate cells associated with the wounds.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs): They are present in the amniotic fluid and membrane
Anti-scarring and antimicrobial properties: Grafts aim to reduce fibrosis and the risk of infection during healing.
Amniotic tissues are an ideal biological material in the regenerative medicine field because they combine all these factors in a unique way.
The field of Regenerative Medicine
A field of medicine focusing on healing the body naturally is ‘regenerative.’ Unlike other medicine fields offering pills for the symptoms or suggesting surgeries as the last option, it helps the body build new tissues. Ultimately, the body repairs underlying injuries on its own and rebuilds damaged parts.And, here is exactly where amniotic grafts help. They reduce pain, fight infection, stop scars, and increase the healing process.
A Brief History of Amniotic Tissue Use
Surgeons have been using the amniotic membrane since the 1910s to treat burns and skin wounds. Today, amniotic grafts are FDA-regulated and approved for use in medical disciplines. Any surgeon under the classification of human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products can use grafts to offer healing to patients.
Amniotic graft for wound healing
Let’s understand below how amniotic grafts help to recover from wounds:
They reduce inflammation: As many wounds create swelling and redness in some of the body parts, healing slows down. Here, amniotic solutions help to calm inflammation quickly.
They stop infection: As the grafts have antibacterial properties, they can fight easily with harmful germs.
They speed up recovery: The amniotic tissue helps cells grow faster and healthier.
They prevent scars: Particularly for wounds on the face or body, amniotic solutions prevent scarring.
They are natural and safe: The tissue is properly cleaned and processed successfully. That’s why it is completely safe for the body.
Where are amniotic tissue grafts used?
The hospitals and clinics around the world use amniotic tissue solutions to cure:
Chronic wounds: The grafts help speed up healing for individuals suffering from diabetes or long-term sores.
Burns: They promote faster healing with less pain, eventually better skin recovery.
Eye surgeries: Tissue grafts are also used to fix serious eye-related problems by doctors.
Orthopedics: To restore the strength of the muscles, and tendons, and repair joints, grafts are very helpful.
Plastic surgery: They offer smoother healing and better-looking results.
Dentistry: Dentists also use tissue grafts for gum and bone-related surgeries for faster recovery.
The science behind the benefits of amniotic tissue graft
The tissue grafts involve the following:
Growth factors
They stimulate the formation of new skin, tissue, and blood vessels in the body.
Stem cells
The stem cells are particular types of cells that can turn into almost any kind of tissue that the body requires.
Collagen and proteins
They offer strength and structure to the healing portions of the body.
Why do doctors suggest regenerative medicine amniotic graft?
The professional generally recommends tissue grafts as they heal chronic wounds effectively with less pain and better results with fewer complications.
How are amniotic grafts applied?
The process of applying tissue grafts goes as follows:
The graft is available in a very soft, thin layer.
The professional places it gently on the surgical area (wound).
Then, they cover it with a bandage.
In many cases, no stitches are required.
And, healing starts straight after the safe, painless procedure.
The future of amniotic tissue
With researchers looking to expand and find out new ways to use amniotic graft for wound healing, we can expect the following in the upcoming decades:
Amniotic tissue treating spinal cord injuries
Helping patients with arthritis
Repairing heart tissue after heart attacks
Restoring organs damaged by disease
Are there any risks associated with tissue grafts?
Everything in the field of regenerative medicine comes with small risks. But for biological tissue graft, they have
No rejection from the body
Very low chance of infection
No harm to the donor
Conclusion
Overall, amniotic tissue grafts are a very powerful and natural method to offer next-level healing to patients. Being a regenerative solution, they can treat a wide range of issues from chronic wounds to spinal surgeries.