Stem cells are receiving a lot of attention as they are known as “a technology that replaces damaged areas with new cells.”

but Not all stem cells are the same , depending on the type Potential, Risk, and Clinical Applications are very different.

Instead of vague expectations or fears, let's clearly organize the characteristics and cautions of currently known stem cell types.

 

1. Why stem cells are important

• Because they are the 'seed cells' that create the 60 trillion cells in our body.

So, there is a growing expectation that it will be possible to replace injured or aged tissues.

 

But stem cells Transformation ability, safety, ethics, and scope of use for each type Because they are different

It is difficult to understand it as simply as ‘stem cell injection = rejuvenation.’

 

➡️ First of all, it is important to know the exact type of stem cell.

 

2. Types and characteristics of stem cells

2-1) Embryonic stem cells

• Obtained from an embryo created by the meeting of an egg and sperm
• A powerful transformation ability that can transform into any cell
• but
  • It's hard to predict what will happen Potential to turn into cancer cells
  • ethical issues
• It was also the center of social controversy in the past (Hwang Woo-suk incident).

2-2) Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS)

• Cells made by 'reversing' adult cells to resemble embryonic stem cells
• There is no ethical issue, but
  • rejection
  • Genetic stability has not been clearly verified
• As it is still in the research stage, clinical application is limited.

2-3) Adult stem cells

• The role of replacing damaged or aging cells with new ones
• It's not a complete free transformation, though. , fate is somewhat predetermined relatively safe
• The most commonly used type in clinical practice today
• especially Adipose-derived stem cells are mainly used

 

3. Where do adult stem cells come from? (Comparing sources)

• Placenta, amniotic membrane, and umbilical cord blood
  • Excellent differentiation ability
  • but Can only be obtained at birth
• Teeth, skin, muscles, and endometrium
  • Technically possible, but difficult to extract and in small quantities
• Blood, bone marrow, and adipose tissue
  • The most commonly used source in clinical practice
  • Blood is easy to collect, but Stem cell function and quantity are often insufficient.

 

4. Why adipose-derived stem cells are attracting attention

✔ 4-1) “The quantity is overwhelmingly large”

• Compared to the same amount of bone marrow About 500 times
• Compared to umbilical cord blood More than 100,000 times
• A small amount of fat (about 100 cc) can be used to obtain sufficient stem cells.

✔ 4-2) Relatively easy to collect

• It is practical because it can be obtained together with liposuction.
• Usable quantities can be obtained without separate cultivation
  • The draft also noted that repeating the culturing process could degrade the cells' original capabilities.

✔ 4-3) Homing Effect

• The ability to find the painful area on one's own
• A notable aspect of the study is that it can be helpful even if the exact location is not known.

✔ 4-4) Safety

• Report of no adverse effects even after observation for up to 54 months (draft evidence)
• Using your own fat autologous transplantation since
  • which can occur in other cells immune response Ina Disease risk can be avoided

 

5. Things to consider when considering stem cell injections

Stem cells are highly anticipated as a key technology for future medicine, No blind faith I will emphasize this several times

⚠ 5-1) “Stem cells = cure all diseases” is not true.

• Like some ads Rejuvenation and cure for all diseases It is an overinterpretation to conclude that
• “Excessive blind faith is a no-no”

⚠ 5-2) Extraction and usage criteria are important

• What kind of stem cell is it?

• Whether or not it is cultured

• Autologous cells

• How was it separated and purified?

  This part is directly related to safety.

⚠ 5-3) New utilization value of ‘tissue discarded during liposuction’

• During liposuction surgery The value of stem cells in discarded fat Emphasize
• However, caution is needed against exaggerated advertising that links this to an “immediate rejuvenation effect.”

 

6. Summary

✔ The potential and risks of stem cells vary greatly depending on the type.

✔ Most of the stem cells currently used in clinical practice are ‘adult stem cells’, especially adipose-derived stem cells.

✔ Adipose stem cells have advantages in quantity, convenience of collection, safety, and homing effect.

✔ However, it cannot be said for certain that stem cell injections will solve all problems.

✔ It is important to have 'realistic expectations' and understand within the scope of what is currently possible.