What type of stem cells have been shown to improve cardiac function when injected into the heart?

Adult bone marrow stem cells have been shown to improve cardiac function when injected into the heart due to their ability to differentiate into various cell types, including cardiomyocytes, which are the cells responsible for heart contraction. These stem cells also possess regenerative properties that can aid in healing the damaged heart tissue after events such as myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Moreover, adult bone marrow-derived stem cells can stimulate the repair processes in the heart by promoting neovascularization, or the formation of new blood vessels. This is crucial for restoring blood supply to the damaged areas of the heart, leading to improved function and overall health of the heart muscle.

While other types of stem cells, such as embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, show great promise in research and potential therapeutic applications, adult bone marrow stem cells have a more established record in clinical settings for enhancing cardiac repair and regeneration. Neural stem cells, while important for nervous system repair, do not have the same direct link to cardiac improvement as adult bone marrow stem cells.