Latest research done by the researchers of Indiana University reveals that stem cells obtained from Menstrual blood can successfully restore the limbs of the patients suffering from Critical Limb Ischemia.

This research was done by Dr. Michael Murphy, a vascular surgeon from Indiana University and his associates on a mice suffering from Peripheral Artery Disease. During the study they blocked the blood circulation of the mice and then treated with injections containing Endometrial Regenerative Cells (ERC).

Miraculously they found that the ERC injections has restored the circulation and the functionality of the blood.

Critical limb ischemia, an advanced form of peripheral artery disease. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) or peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD), is a collator for all diseases caused by the obstruction of large peripheral arteries. The most common cause of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. If left untreated, PAD increases the risk for heart attack and stroke.

Currently there are no medical or surgical interventions that are effective in the advanced stages of the disease.

ERCs are cells taken from menstrual blood that are capable of forming into at least 9 different tissue types, including heart, liver and lung.

Dr. Michael Murphy stated, “The advantage of ERCs is that they can be used in an ‘off the shelf’ manner, meaning they can be delivered to the point of care, do not require matching, and are easily injectable without the need for complex equipment.”

This discovery has won the ‘Medicine Research Award of the Year’ for BioMed Central’s Research in 2007.