INTRODUCTION:

Glycation products accumulate during aging of 

slowly renewing tissue, including skin, and are suggested as an 

important mechanism underlying the skin aging process. 

Adipose-derived cells are widely used in the clinic to treat ischemic 

diseases and enhance wound healing. Interestingly, adipose-derived 

stem cells (ASCs) are also effective in anti-aging therapy, although 

the mechanism underlying their effects remains unknown. The 

purpose of the present study was to examine the anti-aging effect 

of ASCs in a D-galactose-induced aging animal model and to 

clarify the underlying mechanism.

RESULTS:

Transplanted ASCs were detectable for 14 days and their 

GFP signal disappeared at day 28 after injection. ASCs inhibited 

advanced glycation end product (AGE) levels in our animal model as

well as increased the SOD level and decreased the MDA level, all of 

which act to reverse the aging phenotype in a similar way to AG, an 

inhibitor of AGE formation. Furthermore, ASCs released angiogenic 

factors in vivo such as vascular endothelial growth factor, suggesting a 

skin trophic effect.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results demonstrate that ASCs may contribute 

to the regeneration of skin during aging. In addition, the data shows that 

ASCs provide a functional benefit by glycation suppression, antioxidation, 

and trophic effects in a mouse model of aging.