Researchers at the Royan Institute in Tehran, grew human embryo stem cells on a large scale, and then carefully planted the stem cells, one by one, in the heart of a dead rat. Cells from the rat's heart had been previously removed , to make room for the in-coming stem cells.
Researchers were amazed when the dead heart of the rat started beating and pumping blood, in the correct direction, some 12 days after the human embryo stem cells were planted in it.
The successful research offers a way to get round the many difficulties associated with bio-engineering a heart, and is considered a significant step forward in treatment of heart disease and various pulmonary conditions.
Researchers at the Royan Institute published their pioneering research in the respected international scientific journal, 'Biomaterials'.
Meanwhile, Iranian pharmaceutical giant, the Abidi Pharmaceutical Company, has unveiled three new drugs with anti-histamine properties, used in treatment of diabetics.
All three of the pharmaceutical drugs unveiled today have the ability to reduce blood sugar level. All three have anti-histamine properties.
The three drugs were unveiled at a special ceremony on Tuesday morning, attended by the Iranian health minister, Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi.
