Stem Cells Therapy for Kidney Disease CKD AKI Renal Regeneration

Each kidney in the human body contains about 1 million nephrons, which are essentially “filtering” units. Every nephron features a glomerulus, a cluster of tiny blood vessels. Within the kidney, toxins in the blood may be filtered by the glomerulus. High blood sugar often thickens and damages blood vessels, triggering kidney failure.

Warning Signs of Kidney Disease

Kidney Failure tends to disproportionately affect patients with other underlying medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, Polycystic Kidney Disease, polyneuropathy, pancreatitis, or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Doctors believe that sustained uncontrolled high blood sugar (and also high blood pressure) is the leading cause of kidney failure for most people. Not all diabetic patients have to suffer from eventual failure requiring a transplant or emergency reversal of kidney disease with stem cells. The kidneys function by eliminating excess fluids from the blood through our urine. When the kidneys begin to fail, this function is disrupted. More fluids begin to accumulate in the body. Then, the swelling begins. Patients often report having swollen eyes and legs. Over time, the entire body might swell.

Protein in Urine (Proteinuria)

Patients lose appetite when excess fluids and waste aren’t naturally removed from the body. They might even start frequently vomiting as the body struggles with the excess stored waste. As the kidney begins to lose function, other symptoms, such as the retention of essential proteins in the blood (proteinuria), take hold. Proteinuria can be easily discovered with a simple urine test. Kidney disease patients who also have Diabetes can find that their urine turns out to be a little foamy in appearance. Learn more about kidney-friendly diets.

Types of Renal Diseases

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)—As the name implies, CKD develops over a long period, and patients often track the reduction of kidney function over several years. Progressive CKD can lead to eventual kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease) and requires either a kidney transplant or kidney hemodialysis 1-3 times a week to stay alive. Dialysis, or hemodialysis, is required to purify a patient’s blood of waste products such as urea and creatinine when the kidneys cannot function properly.

There are many potential causes of chronic kidney disease, but the usual ones include:

• Glomerulonephritis – Attack on the kidney tissue by a disease, virus (kidney infection symptoms), or self-attack, i.e., Autoimmune responses such as Crohn’s & Goodpasture syndrome
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which causes the growth of cysts in the kidneys
• IgA nephropathy autoimmune, or Berger’s disease, is diagnosed when immunoglobulin A (IgA antibody) builds up in the kidneys, causing inflammation.
• Damage to blood vessels to either kidney due to diabetes (Diabetic Nephropathy) or high blood pressure, known as Renovascular hypertension (RVH), which can also lead to congestive heart failure
• Genetic or congenital abnormalities caused by mutations in the person’s DNA affecting the urinary tract or kidney
• Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) & Kidney Cancer
• Reflux nephropathy, which causes urine to flow back into the kidneys
• Long-term exposure to drugs or medications that are toxic to the kidneys
• Long-term exposure to Lead poisoning or heavy metals
• Renal artery stenosis (RAS), which causes narrowing of the renal arteries

Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure (ARF) or Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs after a sudden or abrupt loss of kidney function. The dangerous event usually occurs over an extremely short period (2-7 days) and can occur multiple times. Some common causes of Acute kidney failure include:

• Recurrent kidney stones
• “Anaemia”: Low blood count from kidney disease
• SLE Lupus & refractory lupus nephritis
• Sudden Stoppage of Haemodialysis
• Frequent urinary tract infections
• Renal artery stenosis
• Stopping Peritoneal Dialysis
• Toxicity due to chemotherapy agents
• Interstitial nephritis
• Acute kidney failure – Sudden
• Protein or Blood in the urine
• Chronic or long-term Dialysis at a Hospital
• Kidney damage due to high blood pressure
• Polycystic kidneys
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

There can be many other causes of chronic kidney disease, and sometimes the diagnosis is idiopathic or unknown, but it is more common among men with ankylosing spondylitis. Regardless of the underlying cause of CKD, the approaches to improving glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are usually similar. Recent research also suggests that nephrotic syndrome & chronic kidney disease can increase the risk of getting Parkinson’s disease or secondary Parkinsonism.

Five Stages of Kidney Disease

There are five stages of kidney damage for patients diagnosed with Chronic kidney disease (CKD). In nephrology, the stages vary from mild kidney damage in Stage 1 to total kidney failure in Stage 5. The stages of kidney disease in patients are based on the Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). The eGFR score is used to assess how well the kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. In the early stage of renal disease, the kidneys remain functional and can filter waste, but are inefficient. As the disease progresses, it becomes harder and harder for the kidneys to filter waste, and eventually, it stops working altogether and requires artificial blood filtering using a dialysis machine.

Calculating Your GFR

Genetic Testing for Kidney Diseases

Knowing the underlying causes of renal failure and kidney disease is very important, not only for the patient but also for their family members who may be carrying the gene without knowing. The Regeneration Center offers genetic screenings for congenital kidney diseases and tests for several ciliopathies, nephronophthisis (NPH), Nephrolithiasis (renal calculi/cysts), or a second opinion to confirm a diagnosis of hereditary kidney disease. Genes we can test for include:

ANKS6, AGXT, APRT,ADCY10, AHI1, ATP6V0A4, ATP6V1B1, CC2D2A,CA2, CASR, CLCN5,CEP164, CEP290,CLDN16, CLDN19, CEP83, CYP24A1, DCDC2,FAM20A, GPHN, GRHPR,GLIS2, IFT172, INVS, HOGA1, HPRT1, KCNJ1, IQCB1, NEK8, NPHP1, NPHP3,MOCOS, MOCS1,OCRL, PREPL, SLC12A1, SLC22A12, SLC26A1, SLC2A9,NPHP4, OFD1, PKHD1,SLC34A1, SLC34A3, SLC3A1,SLC4A1, SLC7A9,RPGRIP1L, SDCCAG8, TCTN1,RPGRIP1L, SDCCAG8, TCTN1,TMEM216, TTC21B, TMEM237, TMEM67,WDR19, XPNPEP3, XDH, SLC9A3R1, UMOD, VDR & ZNF423

The Regeneration Center does not offer kidney transplant surgery or gene therapies for kidney diseases; DNA testing services are available only to current patients. Please contact us with any questions.

Clinical studies have shown that red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to meet the body’s oxygen requirements and provide energy for day-to-day activities. Nevertheless, a failing kidney cannot secrete sufficient erythropoietin, and lower erythropoietin levels do not stimulate the bone marrow to produce more red cells, resulting in anemia. Patients with anemia might notice pale skin or pale gums.^[1]

Can Kidney Disease be Reversed?

Stem Cell Kidney Regeneration

Stem cells are the human body’s repair mechanism. Stem cells can differentiate into any functional tissue cells. Kidney cell necrosis or decreased kidney function can be indicated by abnormal creatinine levels. Stem cell Transplantation for renal failure helps replenish the required kidney cells and thus promotes more normal, healthy kidney function. Two types of stem cell treatments may be used in our regenerative protocols to reverse renal failure. One part of the treatment focuses on promoting optimal kidney function, and the other on replenishing red blood cell volume to help reverse the decline in HGB level. The enhanced mesenchymal cells are then transfused back into your body via targeted cell infusions, allowing the circulating stem cells to reach the kidneys via normal blood circulation. This breakthrough treatment for renal failure can be done with and without dialysis and requires no surgical operation that requires extended hospital stays, only at the Regeneration Center. Enhanced mesenchymal stem cell therapy for kidney disease is performed in multiple stages, with each daily session lasting approximately 2 hours.^[2]

Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Kidney Disease

For those suffering from moderate to late/terminal stage kidney failure, allogeneic cell therapy can help them by eliminating the need for dialysis or decreasing the frequency of dialysis. For patients with early-stage renal failure or kidney disease, stem cell therapy can reverse renal damage and prevent further deterioration of renal function. Our functional regenerative medical treatments using enhanced renal stem cells assure the patients that they will continue living their normal lives without worrying about the worsening of their kidneys or spreading to cause other issues, such as heart disease (heart attacks), pancreatic failure (diabetic nephropathy), and other complications.^[3]

Avoid Dialysis or Kidney Transplant

Stem cell research has shown that to avoid dialysis or a kidney transplant after a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), early detection and comprehensive management are crucial. Lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a healthy diet low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, help reduce the burden on the kidneys. It’s essential to control blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as hypertension and diabetes are leading causes of CKD progression. Medications such as ACE inhibitors or ARBs may be prescribed to protect kidney function. Staying well-hydrated, avoiding nephrotoxic medications (like NSAIDs), and addressing underlying health conditions that contribute to kidney damage are also important. Regular nephrology monitoring, coupled with careful management of complications such as anemia and electrolyte imbalances, helps slow CKD progression. For patients with advanced disease, considering regenerative therapies or stem cell interventions may offer new opportunities to slow or reverse disease progression, though these remain emerging treatment modalities. Finally, maintaining an active lifestyle and a healthy weight can significantly reduce the risk of worsening kidney function and help avoid the need for dialysis or transplant.

Stop Failing Kidneys with UC-MSC+ Renal Stem Cells

The protocol for treating patients with kidney disease depends entirely on factors such as patient age, health status, and the stage of kidney damage. Candidates for treatment will require several stages of infusions of enhanced UC-MSC+ Renal Stem cells derived from Cord tissue-derived stem cells, along with renal system-specific growth factors, which are isolated and cultured in our lab. Due to varying degrees of kidney function and physical degeneration, our medical team must review the patient’s current medical test results. Once the review is complete, we can provide a detailed treatment plan that includes the treatment steps, the exact number of nights required, and the total and fixed medical costs.

Type of Stem Cell Delivery Methods Needed for Kidney Disease: The types and quantities of cells required depend on the patient’s medical needs. The Regeneration Center offers both autologous (from patient) and allogeneic stem cells using clinical grade umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC+) delivered in a multi-stage treatment using a combination of Intravenous Injections (IV Drips), Intrarenal Injections, Intraperitoneal Injections with regenerative growth factors (for assisting with homing) or Intra-arterial Injections to improve delivery efficiency and allow for higher concentration of renal stem cells to reach the affected areas in the renal system, and helping to enhance the overall therapeutic effects. Renal cell transplants using allogeneic do not require dangerous surgeries or painful extraction methods. To achieve better results, the Regeneration Center has developed a blend of regenerative growth factors to enhance regenerative kidney treatments, supporting kidney repair and improving outcomes. The growth factors we use are renal function-specific proteins that play crucial roles in retaining transplanted cells, promoting stem cell proliferation and cell differentiation, increasing cell survival, promoting tissue regeneration, and boosting paracrine cell signaling. ^[4]

Rehabilitation Options Post-Treatment: Physical Rehabilitation therapy in Bangkok is typically not required unless there are other physical issues. Post-therapy physical rehab services can be provided upon request for 2-4 hours per day, up to 5 days per week. 
Medical travel visas and hotel or extended-stay apartment accommodations for the patient and family can also be provided upon request.

Total Treatment time needed: The protocol is estimated to take two weeks (depending on the severity and stage of diagnosis). Late-stage kidney patients or patients with frequent dialysis may not qualify for treatment or require multiple stages to be effective in cessation of dialysis and reversing kidney disease.

Kidney Disease Treatment Guidelines for 2026

Our non-surgical cell-based treatment for renal failure & kidney dysfunction will require a minimum of 14 nights in Bangkok. Due to varying degrees of Kidney damage and the stage/severity of the underlying disease, our medical team and nephrologists will need to evaluate a patient’s needs before making medical recommendations and providing a detailed treatment protocol. Upon approval and acceptance, a thorough treatment plan will be provided, including specifics and a daily calendar for the entire treatment plan, along with the fixed medical-related expenses (excluding accommodations or flights). To begin the qualification process for our multi-stage treatment protocol for CKD, Polycystic Kidney disease, or Kidney/Renal Failure, please prepare your recent medical records that include Radiology from CT Scan or Renal Ultrasound, along with biopsy results (if available), biochemistry results (blood tests), and contact us today.

Published Clinical Citations

[1] ^ Tangnararatchakit, Kanchana, Wiwat Tirapanich, Usanarat Anurathapan, Wiwat Tapaneya-Olarn, Samart Pakakasama, Saengsuree Jootar, Shimon Slavin, and Suradej Hongeng. Depletion of alloreactive T cells for tolerance induction in a recipient of kidney and hematopoietic stem cell transplantations in Thailand. Pediatric transplantation, no. 8 (May 4). doi:10.1111/j.1399-3046.2012.01701.x. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22553996

[2] ^ Sumboonnanonda, Achra, Kleebsabai Sanpakit, and Nuntawan Piyaphanee. 2008. Renal tubule function in beta-thalassemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany), no. 1 (August 8). doi:10.1007/s00467-008-0949-0. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18688653

[3] ^ Tögel, Florian, Arthur Cohen, Ping Zhang, Ying Yang, Zhuma Hu, and Christof Westenfelder. 2009. Autologous and allogeneic marrow stromal cells are safe and effective for the treatment of acute kidney injury. Stem cells and development, no. 3. doi:10.1089/scd.2008.0092. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18564903

[4] ^ Townamchai, N, K Praditpornsilpa, and S Eiam-Ong. 2010. Endothelial progenitor cells in Thai kidney transplant patients. Transplantation proceedings, no. 5. doi:10.1016/j.transproceed.2010.01.063. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20620502