This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

The University of South Florida's Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair has been granted a patent for a cell transplantation procedure combining human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) cells and a sugar-alcohol compound called "mannitol" that may make a big difference in treating life-threatening neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and stroke, among others.

The technology administers the neuroprotective effect of umbilical cord blood cells along with mannitol to permeabilize the blood-brain barrier, allowing for the increased entry of therapeutic growth factors. Saneron CCEL Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology R&D USF spin-out company located at the Tampa Bay Technology Incubator, has licensed the technology.... Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/1846

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With my belief that excess insulin plays a major role in MS, I try to avoid the sugar alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, erythritol); they trigger more insulin secretion; I fear that this use of mannitol will make a problem worse. I hope we will hear how this work at the University of South Florida goes. Please keep your eyes open for an update, squiffy2.

I believe that at least one of the CRABs even contains mannitol.

That statement alone might be reason enough to avoid mannitol. Still, it's great that they found a way to increase the entry of stem cells into the brain. However, it may be the case that mannitol is processed differently in the body when it is consumed orally as opposed to injecting it directly into your viens.

NHE

There are 400 million (they were counted) stem cells banked in Arizona from the umbilical cord blood collected after the recent birth of my granddaughter. I had ordered umbilical cord tissue collection to be done also but the doctor was not familiar with the process as it fairly new.

It doesn't seem like research is there yet but if a way can be found to repair the damage it won't be as important what causes MS.