What is the scientific evidence behind adult mesenchymal stem cells?

There is a sustantial and growing body of basic, laboratory and animal research about adult mesenchymal stem cells and their properties. Mesenchymal is the scientific term for those cells that create the structural parts of our bodies: bone, muscle, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and fat. For those who have the patience and curiosity, some literature citations are given below.

Basically, there are stem cells throughout our bodies waiting to be called into action by the effects of aging or injury. This population of mature, or adult, stem cells - as opposed to embryonic stem cells - is high when we are young and steadily declines as we age. Indeed, one theory of aging (apart from disease) has it that we die when we run out of stem cells sufficient to replace the natural turnover of cells in our body.

The most abundant and easily obtainable source of these stem cells is our own body's fat. When these cells are collected by a process called lipoharvesting (mini-liposuction), they are placed into many layers of the face along with the fat during the FAMI procedure. Exactly what happens to these adult mesenchymal stem cells is not yet known in humans, but we feel they are part of the rejuvenative process.

FAMI is a trademark of the AMAR Charitable Foundation.

Zuk, PA; Zhu, M; Mizuno, H; Huang, J; Futrell, JW; Katz, AJ; Benhaim, P; Lorenz, HP; Hedrick, MH Multilineage cells from adipose tissue: Implications for cell-based therapies. Tissue Eng. 7:211-228; 2001

Bacou, F; Andalousi, RB; Daussin, PA; Micallef, JP; Levin, JM; Chammas, M; Casteilla, L; Reyne, Y; Nougues, J. Transplantation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Cells Increases Mass and Functional Capacity of Damaged Skeletal Muscle. Cell Transplantation, Vol 13, pp103-111, 2004.