http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=499544

A new research project carried out by bio-technology expert at a Vietnam university revealed that stem cells extracted from deer antler regeneration, is capable to restore organs damaged through trauma, disease, cancer or excision.

Deer antlers are known for their special properties such as protein, minerals, lipid fats, water and 18 types of amino acids.

It is known to have miraculous anti-ageing properties and has been revered over thousands of years as a wonder drug for many ageing-related diseases and ailments among Chinese and other Oriental therapists.

Many lower animals such as newts can renew damaged parts of their bodies but antler growth is the only example of mammals being able to regrow large complex organs, Vietnam news agency reported Wednesday, citing Dr Le Thanh Hung as saying.

"I had heard about studies by scientists at the Royal Veterinary College in England and according to that study, the revitalisation of tissue and other body parts in mammals is a process based on the growth of stem cells," said Hung.

However, he stressed that extracting these stem cells from the antlers is not easy.

In March 2008, Hung's team of scientists including leading Prof Pham Thanh Ho, received tissue samples of deer velvet antlers from Tri An district in southern Dong Nai province.

To acquire the stem cells, the samples had to undergo numerous procedures, such as processing and the separation of cells that were then transplanted and grown in the lab.

Announcing the success in extracting the stem cells, Hung said deer antlers are large structures made of bone that annually grow, die, are shed and then regenerate.

"Although the antler growth cycle, from the shedding of the velvet skin and casting of the dead antler to regrowth, is closely linked to testosterone, oestrogen may be a key cellular regulator, as it is in the skeleton of other male mammals".

Asked on the next stage, Hung said the team is working on ways to apply the findings to produce health supplements and cosmetics.

Some products including wine, soft drinks and tonics, were developed from the newly-found stem cells and tested on lab animals such as white rats.

Following the positive results, the city's Department of Science and Technology approved funds totalling 80 millionVND (US$4,000) to support further research in the area.

Head of the university's Animal Biological Technology Department Phan Kim Ngoc said he hoped the achievement would help people get easier access to the valuable medical resources.

Hung said the research team's final findings will be registered with the Intellectual Property Copyright agency before the scientists can cooperate with businesses to produce deer antler remedies for the market.

"Hopefully, our research will result in securing a stable source of stem cells from antlers, because at the moment we can only get antlers from deer that are hunted in the wild or raised by farmers," said Hung.

"Antlers are only harvested in spring and then stored for a long time, which may result in the loss of nutrients in the antlers."

May 19 2010 (Bernama)