Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) – including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) – are chronic conditions where the gut’s immune system is in overdrive. Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease are both forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but they differ significantly in where and how they affect the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon (large intestine) and typically begins in the rectum, extending continuously upward through the colon. In contrast, Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract—although it most commonly involves the end of the small intestine (ileum) and the beginning of the colon. Unlike the continuous pattern of UC, Crohn’s inflammation appears in patchy sections known as “skip lesions,” with areas of healthy tissue between inflamed segments. Another key difference lies in the depth of inflammation. In UC, inflammation is confined to the inner lining of the colon (the mucosa), whereas in Crohn’s disease, inflammation is transmural, meaning it extends through the entire wall of the intestine. Symptoms also vary between the two but both conditions may cause diarrhea, bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue, inflammation, and weight loss. Traditional treatments (anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs, biologics) often help, but many patients still don’t achieve lasting remission. Indeed, studies show well over half of UC patients fail to reach full remission on standard drugs, and some patients eventually need surgical removal of the colon (colectomy). Surgery can carry serious risks and even with surgery, patients can develop complications. 

Conventional treatments also come with side effects. For example, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants can cause weight gain, osteoporosis, and infections, and nearly one-quarter of patients abandon these drugs due to intolerable side-effects. Biologic drugs (like anti-TNF agents) can lose effectiveness over time or provoke immune reactions. Altogether, many IBD patients find themselves in a cycle of trying new medications or undergoing repeated surgeries. This has led researchers and clinicians to explore regenerative approaches – therapies that go beyond symptom-control and actually promote healing in the gut. One such approach is stem cell therapy, which we offer at the Stem Cell & PRP Institute of L.A. as an option for patients with UC or Crohn’s who have not fully responded to standard care.

What Are Stem Cells and How Can They Help in IBD?

Stem cells are the body’s “master cells” – immature cells that can develop into many different cell types. Two key kinds of stem cells are relevant for IBD:

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)- These are adult stem cells found in bone marrow, fat tissue (adipose), umbilical cord, and other tissues. MSCs are multipotent (able to become bone, cartilage, and other types) and are known for powerful immunoregulatory and healing properties. In fact, MSCs can be isolated from a patient’s own bone marrow or fat. When introduced into the body, MSCs naturally migrate to injured tissues – including inflamed areas of the intestine– and begin calming the immune attack. They secrete many anti-inflammatory molecules (such as interleukin-10, TGF-β, and others) that tell overactive immune cells to quiet down. At the same time, MSCs release growth factors and other mediators that promote repair. For example, laboratory studies show that MSCs can differentiate into new intestinal epithelial cells and directly rebuild damaged gut lining. In short, MSCs act like a “smart repair kit” – they suppress the harmful inflammation and help heal ulcers or lesions in the colon.

Hematopoietic (Blood-Forming) Stem Cells (HSCs)- These stem cells (from bone marrow or umbilical cord blood) regenerate the entire blood and immune system.

How Stem Cells Fight Inflammation and Promote Healing

Clinical studies suggest stem cells exert a two-fold effect in IBD: they dial down inflammation and at the same time repair damaged tissue. Here are key ways MSCs (and to an extent HSCs) work in IBD:

Immune Modulation- MSCs have powerful immunosuppressive effects. They interact with many immune cells (T cells, B cells, macrophages) and shift the immune response away from inflammation. For example, after stem cell therapy, researchers have measured lower levels of inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α, and higher levels of regulatory cytokines like IL-10. In one UC study, patients’ blood markers showed a strong drop in IL-6 and IL-1β and an increase in the IL-10/IL-17A ratio after MSC infusions. These biochemical changes correlate with calmer gut inflammation and symptom relief. In simpler terms, MSCs tell the immune system to “stand down” and produce more anti-inflammatory signals.

Tissue Regeneration- Beyond immunomodulation, MSCs directly support healing. They secrete growth factors and extracellular vesicles that stimulate cell proliferation and blood vessel growth, and they can themselves turn into epithelial-like cells under the right conditions. Early animal studies showed bone marrow MSCs repair injured intestinal mucosa in colitis models, while reducing inflammatory T-cell activity. In humans, researchers have noted that after MSC therapy, endoscopic exams often reveal less ulceration and more normal mucosal patterns. In the Chinese UC trial, for instance, 43.9% of patients experienced mucosal healing by 2 months post-therapy. Essentially, stem cells help rebuild the damaged gut lining so it can function more normally, instead of remaining ulcerated and leaky. 

The bottom line: Stem cells harness the body’s own repair tools. Rather than just blocking one inflammatory pathway (like a drug), stem cell therapy boosts many healing signals simultaneously. Multiple studies describe this as a promising new strategy for IBD, especially in cases refractory to drugs.

Our Stem Cell Therapies at Stem Cell & PRP Institute

At our clinic in Los Angeles, we offer personalized stem cell treatments for IBD. The main options include:

Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy- We isolate MSCs from your own fat tissue (via a small liposuction) or bone marrow (via a needle aspiration). Studies show MSCs from either source are potent anti-inflammatories. In practice, we infuse the cells intravenously, allowing them to circulate to the gut.

In addition to other therapies, our clinic offers stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue and cord blood. Cord-derived cells are extremely youthful and potent. Because they come from consenting newborn births, the cells haven’t aged or been exposed to environmental damage, meaning we often get a higher yield of viable stem cells (Indeed, one study notes “the younger the source, the greater the quantity of MSCs.”mdpi.com.) All cord donations are thoroughly tested for health and safety before use, ensuring we work with cells from robust, healthy genetics. Combined with modern processing, this gives us a rich supply of high-quality regenerative cells without any risk.

Cord tissue and blood stem cells are collected immediately after birth. This provides a very young “starting age” for the cells, which can translate to greater growth and repair potential. Importantly, each donor is rigorously screened (medical, social, blood tests) before banking, so the cells come from genetically healthy, potent sources. In addition, umbilical cord tissue (Wharton’s jelly) is naturally rich in high–molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. HA promotes fluid retention and it has strong anti-inflammatory properties. The extracellular matrix of cord tissue also contains collagen and other scaffold proteins that support tissue rebuilding. Collagen provides structural support during the healing process. In our treatments, cord-derived cells deliver these building blocks directly to the injury site, aiding regeneration. Unlike adult stem cell sources (bone marrow or fat), cord blood and tissue collection is completely painless and risk-free. It happens right after birth: once the baby is delivered and the cord is clamped, the remaining blood or tissue is simply collected. There’s no surgery, anesthesia, or discomfort for the mother or baby – and no risk to the donor. This easy, one-time collection means we don’t need to perform any invasive harvests on patients (no fat liposuction or bone marrow needles required). All umbilical cords are obtained from consenting donors under strict regulatory standards. Donors are thoroughly tested for infections and overall health. This means the cells we use come from genetically healthy, non-diseased sources. The result is a “clean,” potent cell population – what the clinic refers to as better genetics – improving the safety and efficacy of therapy. 

Each of these factors – extremely young cells, natural HA and collagen content, easy collection, and careful screening – makes umbilical cord tissue and cord blood stem cells an ideal regenerative treatment. By using these youthful, nutrient-rich cells as our main source, we maximize healing potential while minimizing risk, helping patients recover faster and with better outcomes.

Evidence from Research: What Studies Show

The idea of using stem cells in IBD is supported by a growing body of research. Below are some key findings from recent trials and reviews:

Ulcerative Colitis (UC): A 2024 clinical study in Henan Province treated 41 patients with moderate-to-severe active UC (who had failed standard drugs) using monthly infusions of umbilical cord MSCs. The results were encouraging: 73.2% of patients had a clinical response at 2 months, and 41.5% achieved clinical remission. Even at 6 months, about 70% still met response criteria. Objective measures confirmed improvement: Mayo scores (symptom index) and endoscopic inflammation scores dropped significantly. The treatment was well tolerated – no serious adverse events were reported. The authors concluded that cord-derived MSC therapy was “safe and effective” for UC patients. Earlier analyses also support MSC use in UC: a 2019 meta-review of multiple trials (including animal and human studies) found that MSC therapy significantly increased healing rates in UC compared to controls, concluding MSCs “could be an underlying method of treating UC.”

Crohn’s Disease (CD): A 2024 meta-analysis pooled data from 12 randomized trials (632 patients) of stem cell therapy in refractory Crohn’s (including both luminal disease and fistulas). It found that stem cell therapy significantly increased the chance of clinical remission compared to placebo/no treatment. In other words, patients who received MSCs or HSC transplant were much more likely to go into remission. Importantly, the rate of serious adverse events was no higher in the stem cell group than in controls, indicating the treatments were generally safe. The researchers concluded that stem cell therapy “may be an effective and safe therapeutic option for patients with medically refractory Crohn’s disease or related fistulas.” These findings echo earlier summaries: one 2015 review noted “multiple studies suggest the immunomodulatory effect of stem cell therapy may reduce inflammation and tissue injury in patients with IBD”, and both animal and small human studies have repeatedly shown MSCs can repair gut injury and restore balance. 

In summary, research across the world – from foundational animal studies to human trials – consistently suggests that stem cell therapy can induce remission in IBD patients who are otherwise out of options. One analysis put it plainly: stem cell therapy offers a “promising role” in IBD management. And with new studies in 2023–2024 reporting real-world success, the scientific momentum is strong.

Why Consider Stem Cell Therapy at Our Clinic?

At the Stem Cell & PRP Institute of L.A., we combine cutting-edge science with personalized patient care. If you or a loved one has UC or Crohn’s disease that has failed standard treatments or surgery has been suggested, stem cell therapy may be a valuable option. Our team will guide you through the process, from pre-treatment evaluation to follow-up care.

In summary, emerging evidence shows that stem cell therapies can benefit IBD patients by reducing inflammation and repairing the gut. Our clinic utilizes mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells in a controlled, safe manner. The goal is not only symptom relief but also improving the underlying disease activity and possibly avoiding surgery. As one research review concluded, when conventional therapies have failed, stem cell treatment “may be an effective and safe therapeutic option” for patients with refractory IBD.

If chronic IBD has left you feeling hopeless with medications or fearing surgery, consider discussing stem cell therapy with Dr. Nourparvar. The science is rapidly advancing, and we are proud to offer these advanced treatments in Los Angeles with Dr. Nourparvar. 

📞 Call us today at (310) 361-5480 to book your appointment or click here to schedule a consultation.