Introduction: The term photoaging describes the sun damaging effects on skin mainly due to chronic ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. The unsatisfactory results of the available anti-aging strategies raise the demand for alternative forms of treatments. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are available in abundant quantities, harvested by a minimally invasive procedure, safely transplanted and differentiated along multiple cell lineages. Subsequently, used in treatment of many diseases.
Aim: To assess the potential ability of ASCs to ameliorate skin changes induced by chronic exposure to artificial light source similar to the sun rays in its UVA and UVB spectrum in adult female guinea pigs.
Material and Methods: Adipose-derived stem cells were isolated from subcutaneous white adipose tissue of five adult human donors undergoing elective liposuction surgery. Twenty adult female guinea pigs were used and were randomly divided into two groups each was subdivided into two subgroups "five animals, each". Subgroup IA served as the control group. Subgroup IB was intradermally injected with phosphate buffered saline solution. Subgroup IIA served as the photoaging model. Subgroup IIB served as the photoaging model intradermaly injected with ASCs. Isolated stem cells were cultured and characterized. Skin specimens were prepared and examined using different histological and immunohistochemical techniques. Morphometric and statistical studies were also performed.
Results: Subgroup IIA showed various UV damaging effects in the skin epidermis and dermis, while ASCs injection in subgroup IIB resulted in partial restoration of the skin structure.
Conclusion: Intradermal injection of ASCs partially ameliorated the photo-damaging effects. Further studies are needed before ASCs clinical application.