Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Stem Cell Therapy for Canine and Feline Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Minor
Chemistry
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Laura Hoffman, DVM; Tara Joiner, LVT; Johanna Choate, DVM
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
This research aims to statistically analyze the relationship between stem cell therapy and renal failure in a sample of canine and feline patients. Stem cell therapy is a burgeoning field in both human and veterinary medicine, seeking mainly to better understand disease incidence and repair damaged tissues, such as those involved in spinal cord injuries and Alzheimer’s disease. In relation to veterinary medicine, prior research suggests that stem cell therapy has potential to be an effective tool against diseases such as renal failure. While embryonic stem cells (stem cells derived from a fertilized embryo) are considered the best option for stem cell therapy, ethical and logistical concerns essentially rule them out as an option in veterinary medicine. As such, this research would examine how adipose derived adult stem cells, taken from the patient being treated, affect the rehabilitation of the patient when combined with generic dialysis and medication. This research will primarily examine comprehensive chemistry panels and kidney health profiles taken during treatment of the patients after diagnosis and up until their death to draw some statistical inferences from the data set provided. These values will be compared to healthy patient reference intervals, as well as their own values from previous panels or profiles.
Spring Scholars Week 2024 Event
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Stem Cell Therapy for Canine and Feline Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
This research aims to statistically analyze the relationship between stem cell therapy and renal failure in a sample of canine and feline patients. Stem cell therapy is a burgeoning field in both human and veterinary medicine, seeking mainly to better understand disease incidence and repair damaged tissues, such as those involved in spinal cord injuries and Alzheimer’s disease. In relation to veterinary medicine, prior research suggests that stem cell therapy has potential to be an effective tool against diseases such as renal failure. While embryonic stem cells (stem cells derived from a fertilized embryo) are considered the best option for stem cell therapy, ethical and logistical concerns essentially rule them out as an option in veterinary medicine. As such, this research would examine how adipose derived adult stem cells, taken from the patient being treated, affect the rehabilitation of the patient when combined with generic dialysis and medication. This research will primarily examine comprehensive chemistry panels and kidney health profiles taken during treatment of the patients after diagnosis and up until their death to draw some statistical inferences from the data set provided. These values will be compared to healthy patient reference intervals, as well as their own values from previous panels or profiles.