keyingredient As science continues to pursue new innovative ways of achieving more advanced product formulations a new product range has recently been launched on the Australian market. LUMINESCETM is taking stem-cell technology in skincare to a new level by super-charging the production of young, fresh skin cells. Infused with a potent growth-factor complex derived from natural adult stem cells, the LUMINESCETM family of products rejuvenates skin cells at a molecular level. Dr Donna Antarr is the medical adviser to Jeunesse Global. Wishing to draw on her scientific knowledge we interviewed her and questioned her on the new advances in skincare technology and specifically how natural adult stem cells work on the skin.
How Human Stem Cells Work In Skincare By Dr Donna Antarr – Medical Advisor JEUNESSE GLOBAL
APJ Q1. Dr Antarr, can you tell us a little about your background and how you got involved with stem cells in skincare? Dr Antarr: I am a Doctor of Medicine and Psychiatry in the US, where I practise Anti-Ageing and Mind-Body Medicine. I also have a Masters in Exercise Physiology and practised Sports & Fitness Medicine. I am a former professional ballet dancer and currently my husband and I participate in triathlons. It was working in these fields that led me to work with and understand our own adult stem cells and how they support the body’s natural rejuvenation process. I am an author on published scientific research regarding stem cells. Since our skin is the largest organ in the body, it only made sense that our stem cells work here also. This then led me to working with stem-cell technology in skincare.
APJ Q 2. Can you tell us what is the difference between human versus plant-derived stem cells when it comes to skincare and how do they differ in efficacy on the skin? Dr Antarr: It is quite simple, plant cells are not the same as human or any animal cells. Plant stem cells are followers, not leaders. Plant totipotential stem cells (cells that can give rise to the entire organism) do not produce substances capable of affecting other cells of the plant in any meaningful way, let alone be suitable for use in influencing the behaviour of cells in the animal kingdom, e.g. human skin. Plant stem cells have no ability to repair any damaged cells. When you cut a leaf, a plant cannot repair a leaf. Plant stem cells can't communicate with anything but the plant. They're indispensable to plant growth, but they are unlike human stem cells, which have the ability to cause cellular proliferation, repair wounds and heal organs, etc. For years we have known without a doubt that human-derived stem cells are able to affect human skin photo-ageing and wound healing, etc. That is scientifically proven. Plant-derived stem cells for this purpose are not.
APJ Q3. How does the mechanism of stem cells work on the skin and how important is the percentage of stem cells and the carrier medium to its overall capability to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin?
APJ 34
Dr Antarr: The body of evidence supporting stem-cell derived growth factors in skincare points to distinct benefits in supporting collagen production and fibroblast support. A study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science in 2007 concluded that the secretory factors derived from the adult stem cells may be used for the treatment of photo-ageing and wound healing. The study showed that the secretory factors within a conditioned medium enhanced the secretion of type I collagen in HDFs by regulating the mRNA levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins: up-regulation of collagen type I, III and fibronectin and downregulation of MMP-1. Stem cells help to maintain our body’s reparative and regenerative ability. As we age every cell breaks down and when it needs to be replaced what replaces them are stem cells. By using growth factors derived from stem cells, Jeunesse Global has developed a special growth-factor complex that helps heal our cells and helps slows down the appearance of the ageing process. The process begins with the search for the best stem cells in the human body. The stems cells are found within the body's fat layers using a sterile and specialised syringe and doctors extract a mixture of fatty tissue and a group of healthy stem cells. Laboratory technicians then separate the stem and fat cells by using a centrifuge system. From here the stems cells are then placed in a petri dish and given food they need to grow. As the cells grow they multiply quickly, filling in any gaps or holes – this is very similar to how the body heals wounds. During this phase the stems cells release a chemical signal or what is called a growth factor. Growth factors are the cell's language, this is how thousands of cells communicate allowing them to do one vital function – repair and regenerate the tissue in the body. This occurs in the deepest layer of the skin. Growth factors are the critical ingredients used in the revolutionary Luminesce range. The growth factors are combined with a suite of complementing ingredients, some of which are used to nourish the skin and the others
to deliver the growth factors into the skin, enhancing the efficacy of the ingredients. The structure of the delivery system is one of the keys to the success of skincare efficacy. The choice of delivery system may mean the difference between a superior or a less effective skincare product. It can also affect the experience of the skincare on the skin – it feels good on the skin. There are many different delivery systems. Liposomes have been used successfully for many years as a delivery method in many skincare formulations. Liposomes are sphere-shaped fluid-like vessels that contain lipid layers. The spheres transport the active ingredients in the skincare into the skin. Another example is Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride which is derived from coconut. It is a powerful, penetrating carrier oil and non-greasy emollient that is a carrier for fat-soluble vitamins. It is important to note that there are no stem cells in the Jeunesse Global Luminesce product. It only includes the "growth factors or cytokines" that have been extracted from the human adipose stem cells. Although stem cells are different from different people, the molecules that they make, the "growth factors or cytokines", are the same and therefore recognised by the body.
APJ Q4. Where do human stem cells come from as used in the Jeunesse Range, what is their molecular weight and to what level can they penetrate into the skin?
ageing benefits and why? Dr Antarr: Everyone knows that our skin is affected by what we eat, including what we don't eat. All antioxidants show great promise as they are the nutrients that help us to neutralise the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. We are constantly bombarded by free radicals and no matter what we do we cannot escape these damaging free radicals. We should be eating an abundance of colourful fruits and vegetables, and I believe that we also need to supplement with natural concentrates and extracts that contain antioxidants. It is more about a blend of antioxidants than it is about specific ones. This is why I like supplements that are combined from different fruits and plants like blueberry, dark sweet cherry, pomegranate, concord grape, acai berry extract, green tea extract, grapeseed extract, resveratrol and aloe vera.
APJQ8. Is there any scientific validation as yet of the impact that one can expect when topical and internal protocols in skin rejuvenation are applied in combination? Dr Antarr: I am not aware of clear scientific evidence that uses both topical and internal in the same study. The issue would be that one would not know how much of the effect was from the topical and how much from the internal. Scientific studies are best done when only one variable (either topical or internal) is the one being tested or the results are not as clear.
www.jeunesseglobal.com | Tel: (02) 8007 3116
Dr Antarr: The adult human stem cells come from adipose-derived
ABOUT DR DONNA ANTARR
stem cells. However, it is important to note (as we mentioned above) that there are no stem cells in the Jeunesse Global Luminesce products – there are only growth factors derived from the stem cells.
Dr Donna Antarr is a doctor of medicine. She earned her degree from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and also holds a Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology. Dr Antarr is a published author and an accomplished international speaker on the topics of wellness and nutrition. She has served on the medical advisory Boards for companies and is Medical Advisor to Jeunesse Global. Dr Antarr was a professional ballet dancer and graduated from the New York School of Performing Arts.
APJQ5. Explain to us the role of growth factors in the skin and how do human stem cells affect growth factors when introduced via a cream? Dr Antarr: Growth factors/cytokines are created by the stem cells. These molecules (growth factors/cytokines) are what are used in the Luminesce products. For the cells of any tissue, including skin, to work correctly they must be able to communicate with each other, this is the purpose of these molecules (growth factors/cytokines). When we are younger these factors work well and keep the cells of the skin in good health. This communication is like "talking" to the stem cells, letting them know what is needed for the skin to be healthy. But as we age these factors aren't able to communicate as effectively due to sun, stress, pollution and natural ageing. Adding the growth factors by topically applying the serum supports the skin in using the growth factors to communicate what is needed of the stem cells found in the skin (endogenous).
APJQ6. What exciting new findings in regenerative medicine will impact skincare in the coming years? Dr Antarr: I believe that we are just at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to using human adult stem cells to generate the growth factors and cytokines that support skin rejuvenation. So there will be more in relation to stem-cell technology as this technology is just in its infancy.
APJQ7. What about beauty from within? How can the skin benefit with internal supplementation and which nutrients are showing the most promise in terms of anti-
ABOUT JEUNESSE GLOBAL Jeunesse Global is one of the fastest-growing global companies dedicated to the advancement of research and product development in the beauty and healthcare market, by combining breakthrough sciences in product systems that enhance youth, both internal and aesthetic. The company presents some of the leading medical advisors in the USA, including Dr Donna Antarr MD, Dr Vincent Giampapa MD and Dr Nathan Newman MD. Products are available in Australia through health and beauty practitioners, distributors and online. Renowned for their standout stem-cell derived skincare range – LUMINESCE™, as well as the inner-health supplement range – NutriGen™ Reserve.
REFERENCE Journal of Dermatological Science. 2007 Oct; 48(1):15-24. Epub 2007 Jul 23 – Wound healing effect of adipose-derived stem cells: a critical role of secretory factors on human dermal fibroblasts (Kim WS, Park BS, Sung JH, Yang JM, Park SB, Kwak SJ, Park JS.
APJ 35