Stem cells from fat show promise for anti-ageing treatment

New York: Adult stem cells collected directly from human fat are more stable than other cells -- such as fibroblasts from the skin -- and have the potential for use in anti-ageing treatment, says a study.

Stem cells collected directly from human fat -- called adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) -- can make more proteins than originally thought, showed the findings published in the journal Stem Cells.

"Our study shows these cells are very robust, even when they are collected from older patients," said the study's lead author Ivona Percec from Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

"It also shows these cells can be potentially used safely in the future, because they require minimal manipulation and maintenance," Percec said.

The researchers made the discovery after developing a new model to study chronological ageing of these cells.

Stem cells are currently used in a variety of anti-ageing treatments and are commonly collected from a variety of tissues.

But Percec's team specifically found ASCs to be more stable than other cells, a finding that can potentially open the door to new therapies for the prevention and treatment of aging-related diseases.

"Unlike other adult human stem cells, the rate at which these ASCs multiply stays consistent with age," Percec said.

"That means these cells could be far more stable and helpful as we continue to study natural aging," Percec noted.