Efficacy of microneedling plus human stem cell conditioned medium for skin rejuvenation: a randomized, controlled, blinded split-face study

Abstract

Background: The use of growth factors in skin rejuvenation is emerging as a novel anti-aging treatment. While the role of growth factors in wound healing is well established, their use in skin rejuvenation has only recently been to be studied and no controlled trials have been performed.

Objective: We evaluated the anti-aging effects of secretory factors of endothelial precursor cells differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hESC-EPC) in Asian skin.

Methods: A total of 25 women were included in this randomized, controlled split-face study. The right and left sides of each participant's face were randomly allocated to hESC-EPC conditioned medium (CM) or saline. To enhance epidermal penetration, a 0.25-mm microneedle roller was used. Five treatment sessions were repeated at 2-week intervals.

Results: Physician's global assessment of pigmentation and wrinkles after treatment revealed statistically significant effects of microneedling plus hESC-EPC CM compared to microneedling alone (p<0.05). Skin measurements by Mexameter and Visiometer also revealed statistically significant effects of microneedling plus hESC-EPC CM on both pigmentation and wrinkles (p<0.05). The only minimal adverse event was mild desquamation in one participant.

Conclusion: Secretory factors of hESC-EPC improve the signs of skin aging and could be a potential option for skin rejuvenation.

Keywords: Aging; Conditioned culture media; Embryonic stem cell; Microneedling; Rejuvenation; Skin aging.

Fig. 1

Transdermal penetration of human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial precursor cell (hESC-EPC) conditioned medium (CM). (A~C) microneedling alone (control); (D~F) microneedling plus hESC-EPC CM. Proteins in hESC-EPC CM labeled with Alexa Fluor 488 (green color) are visible in both the epidermis and dermis. Scale bar=200 µm.

Fig. 2

Photographs at baseline and after 5 treatments. Clinical photos showed greater improvements of wrinkles and dilated pores following microneedling with human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial precursor cell conditioned medium (A, baseline; B, after 5 treatments) than microneedling alone (C, baseline; D, after 5 treatments).

Fig. 3

Photographs focusing on the periorbital areas at baseline and after 5 treatments. Periorbital wrinkles exhibited greater improvements following microneedling with human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial precursor cell conditioned medium (A, baseline; B, after 5 treatments) than microneedling alone (C, baseline; D, after 5 treatments).

Fig. 4

Objective non-invasive skin measurements. (A) Pigmentation; (B) erythema; (C, D) wrinkles. R2: maximum roughness (C); R3: average roughness (D). ^*p<0.05, post-treatment comparison between microneedling alone and microneedling plus human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial precursor cell (hESC-EPC) conditioned medium (CM); ^**p<0.05, pre- and post-treatment in microneedling plus hESC-EPC CM.