Boosting the Body’s Own Stem Cells

Researchers are also attempting to boost the existing stem cell activity in the body by using molecules such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which promotes muscle repair.

A transgenic mouse with boosted levels of IGF-1 can repair cardiac muscle after an artificially induced heart attack (Transgenic).

In the control mouse, the heart loses muscle mass and becomes weak and membranous (Control, arrow).