Rejuvenation Therapy – An Overview of Anti-Aging Stem Cell Therapies

Rejuvenation therapy is a field of medicine concerned with slowing, altering or potentially reversing some of the effects of aging. While there is currently no scientifically proven way to delay our internal aging processes themselves, there are approaches that may influence some of the effects we experience as we age. Stem cell-based approaches have attracted growing interest in this context. In this article, we discuss the differences between the various stem cell approaches explored for anti-aging.

The biology of aging consists of several complex processes, many of which are not fully understood yet. However, scientists have discovered some processes that can explain why we age. In general, it can be said that the main aspects of aging are:

• Genetic aging, which can cause unstable DNA, mitochondria damage, cellular damage, telomere shortening or the inability for cells to reproduce sufficiently
• Biochemical aging, which is roughly the damaging of cellular structures through free radicals
• Hormonal aging, which is an increased impairment in our hormonal balance as we age
• Aging related to shortage of cellular resources, mainly lack of stem cells in tissue or oocytes
• Aging related to lifestyle choices, which can be understood as aging through external influences such as high sun exposure or smoking

All of these aspects play a role in aging, and some have a stronger effect than others. As the aging process is highly individual, the role of each of these aspects may be different in different individuals. This means that naturally, some people age faster than others.

What is a logical way to stop aging? In the section above we listed some aspects of aging; most, if not all aspects are related to damage of cells or cellular structures. It makes sense to assume that the aging process could be altered by repairing those damages, or by completely replacing the affected cells with new, functioning cells.

The body naturally has many different mechanisms which it utilizes to repair molecular and cellular damages. However, these mechanisms not only decrease in functionality as we age, but also not every type of damage can be repaired. It is known that when organisms are unable to replace cells or at least dilute the damage, intracellular damage accumulates, which will have an effect not only on the functionality of the damaged cell, but also on its surroundings.

Indeed, the approach to replace damaged cells which the body cannot replace itself is being investigated for many different applications. Stem cell transplantation has been used for a while now, especially in the form of bone marrow transplants to treat serious diseases. Research is also investigating whether stem cell transplantation might in future help in type 2 diabetes by replacing brown fat cells. Stem cells can also be applied directly to the affected body part, an approach explored in orthopedics, for instance for knee injuries and degeneration. In the anti-aging context, early studies have explored possible effects on brain function and on frailty.

Stem cell infusion therapies are a novel approach within the stem cell treatment spectrum. Infused application can contain the stem cells themselves, or it can contain their “byproducts”. The idea came from more recent research suggesting that a substantial part of the activity associated with stem cells may be mediated by the factors they secrete (such as miRNA, cytokines, proteins and growth factors) rather than by the cells themselves. The sum of these secreted products are called secretome. Sometimes, the term “exosome” is used; that is, however, technically just one part of the stem cell secretome (read more about the differences here).

Just like stem cell-based therapies where the cells are directly injected, stem cell infusion therapies (with or without cells) can have different tissue origins. Scientific investigation currently explores all directions, from intravenous infusion of umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells to intracoronary stem cell infusion after acute myocardial infarction.

Research has identified a range of possible mechanisms for stem cell infusion therapies, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity, the induction of apoptosis in faulty cells, and support for the body’s own healing processes. These properties contribute to the growing scientific interest in their therapeutic potential.

Another form of stem cell application is the topical solution. Instead of injecting the stem cells or applying them intravenously, a topical solution can directly be applied onto the skin. One area of considerable interest is alopecia, or baldness, where stem cell-based approaches are being explored as a possible option. A small early-stage Korean study reported encouraging initial results for a topical stem cell solution in baldness.

Another type of application is the stem cell therapy as a nasal spray. This can be a delivery method for the treatment of the brain, for instance in case of brain cancer or neurodegenerative diseases, without the need of a heavily invasive procedure.

Stem cells are also being studied in chronic wounds, a major clinical problem in need of better therapeutic options. This is an active and fast-growing area of research, and it may also be relevant to possible anti-aging applications for the skin.

When cells are not able to reproduce anymore, they will ideally commit suicide (called programmed cell death, or apoptosis) or they will shut down. These shut down cells are called senescent cells, and they are known to have a very high level of damage within themselves, which they accumulate during induction of senescence (initial insult‐inducing damage) and after senescence establishment due to an accelerated rate of damage accumulation.

Usually, senescent cells are removed by our immune system. However, as we age, this removal mechanism does not seem to work properly. As a result, more and more senescent cells remain in our body. These cells are not only internally damaged, but scientists have also found out that they are damage-inducing cells. This means that they “spread” the damage into their surroundings.

It is hypothesized that the elimination of senescent cells reduces the number of cells with the highest amount of damage. Experimental studies have reported improvements in several health parameters after the removal of senescent cells, for instance in heart, kidney, lung and adipose tissue function.

Another popular effect of senescent cell removal could be the activation and increased proliferation of hair follicle stem cells. In other words – a combination of senescent cell removal and stem cell therapy might influence hair follicle activity, an idea currently being explored in research on hair loss.

There are several types of stem cell-based approaches:

• Stem cell transplantation or injection, where the cells are directly applied to the diseased or damaged area;
• Stem cell infusion therapies, where stem cells, or the stem cell secretome, are administered into the blood system;
• Topical or non-invasive stem cell therapies, where stem cells are applied as a topical solution, nasal spray or topical spray, and
• Approaches that target cells through medication, such as the senescent cell removal discussed here, which remains at an experimental stage.

There is no single approach that suits every situation. The most appropriate approach may depend on the individual, the origin of the stem cells and the condition being addressed.

The different routes of administration lend themselves to different aims: topical approaches are of interest for hair loss, infusion-based approaches for systemic questions such as inflammation and immune function, and locally applied approaches in orthopedics, in each case alongside established treatments such as physical therapy.

Stem-cell-based and secretome approaches remain developing areas of medicine. The available evidence differs from one indication to another, individual outcomes cannot be predicted, and treatment is offered only following an individual medical assessment.

If you would like to learn more, contact us. Our patient care managers can arrange a consultation with our physicians to discuss your individual situation and the treatments available at ANOVA.