Using adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells to fight the metabolic complications of obesity: Where do we stand?

• Published in: Obesity reviews Vol. 23; no. 5; pp. e13413 - n/a
• Main Authors: Mikłosz, Agnieszka, Nikitiuk, Barbara Emilia, Chabowski, Adrian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.05.2022; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: adipose tissue; Adipose Tissue - metabolism; ADMSCs; Animal models; Animals; Autografts; Cell viability; Chemokines; Cirrhosis; Clinical trials; Cytokines; Cytokines - metabolism; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Dyslipidemia; Graft rejection; Growth factors; Humans; Hyperglycemia; hyperlipidemia; Immunomodulation; immunosuppression; Inflammation; Insulin; insulin resistance; islets of Langerhans; Liver; Liver cirrhosis; liver function; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation - methods; Mesenchymal stem cells; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - metabolism; Metabolic Diseases - metabolism; Metabolic disorders; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolism; noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Obesity - metabolism; Obesity - therapy; Obesity Comorbidities/Treatment; Oxidative stress; Recovery of function; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Stem cell transplantation; Stem cells; therapeutics; Transplantation; metabolic syndrome; adipose tissue; ADMSCs; obesity
• ISSN: 1467-7881; 1467-789X; 1467-789X
• DOI: 10.1111/obr.13413

Summary Obesity is a critical risk factor for the development of metabolic diseases, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Stem cell‐based therapies have become a promising tool for therapeutic intervention. Among them are adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs), secreting numerous bioactive molecules, like growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. Their unique features, including immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory properties, make them an ideal candidates for clinical applications. Numerous experimental studies have shown that ADMSCs can improve pancreatic islet cell viability and function, ameliorate hyperglycemia, improve insulin sensitivity, restore liver function, counteract dyslipidemia, lower pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and reduce oxidative stress in the animal models. These results prompted scientists to use ADMSCs clinically. However, up to date, there have been few clinical studies or ongoing trails using ADMSCs to treat metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or liver cirrhosis. Most human studies have implemented autologous ADMSCs with minimal risk of cellular rejection. Because the functionality of ADMSCs is significantly reduced in subjects with obesity and/or metabolic syndrome, their efficacy is questioned. ADMSCs transplantation may offer a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of metabolic complications of obesity, but randomized controlled trials are required to establish their safety and efficacy in humans prior to routine clinical use.