Stem Cell 'Temptation'... 'Helps' with Breast Augmentation, Youthful Appearance, and Menopause

 Stem cells are expected to become the focal point for creating a new medical paradigm. Last month, foreign media reported that in the UK, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 60s, who had gone blind due to age-related macular degeneration, had their vision restored without side effects after retinal cells cultured from embryonic stem cells were transplanted into their eyes. Not only were the patients able to read newspapers after previously being unable to recognize people right in front of them, but they also showed no significant side effects for over a year.

A domestic bio-venture saw its stock price briefly rise after establishing a system in Japan to treat dementia using stem cells. Although the market in Korea slowed down following the Hwang Woo-suk scandal, commercially available treatments are already being used for conditions such as ischemic foot disease and degenerative arthritis. Looking deeper, it is being actively applied in fields such as cosmetic surgery, anti-aging, and recovery from menopause and chronic fatigue. 

Stem cells are known as pluripotent cells. They are 'undifferentiated' cells equipped with the ability to differentiate into various types of body tissues. Since they can differentiate into diverse tissues or cells by adjusting appropriate conditions, such as altering the composition of the culture medium and culture conditions to achieve a desired outcome, they can be utilized in treatments to regenerate damaged tissues. By replacing old and diseased tissues, they are gaining attention as a beacon of hope for new medical technologies, capable of treating intractable diseases and even turning back the clock by 10 years. 

In Korea, cosmetic treatments using stem cells have spread more widely in the field of breast augmentation than in other areas. While conventional breast implant surgery provides a distinct effect of increasing breast volume, a significant number of people are reluctant to undergo it due to its artificial appearance and shape. Furthermore, studies show that after approximately 10 years, complications such as leakage of implant contents, silicone pack rupture, and capsular contracture (hardening of the tissue surrounding the implant) occur in 40% of patients.  

Stem cell breast augmentation involves harvesting fat from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, separating stem cells from fat cells, and injecting them into the breasts in an appropriate ratio. Stem cells must be separated and injected together to ensure successful engraftment of the fat cells. If fat extracted from the abdomen is simply injected into the breasts without this separation, the engraftment rate remains at only 20–30%, resulting in only temporary effects. 

According to published papers, the engraftment rate of stem cell breast augmentation currently averages 70%. Shin Dong-jin, director of SC301 Clinic, explained, “Mesenchymal stem cells extracted from abdominal fat help fat cells and breast blood vessels connect and settle quickly,” adding, “Thanks to the role of the stem cells, the fat cells receive a sufficient supply of nutrients and blood, thus achieving a higher engraftment rate than simple fat grafting.”  

Stem cell breast augmentation offers a double benefit, such as weight loss by removing excess fat from the abdomen, thighs, flanks, and arms. Furthermore, the shape and texture are nearly identical to natural breast tissue, eliminating the appearance of artificiality. High-efficiency equipment is required to extract a sufficient amount of stem cells. It allows for the extraction of the maximum amount in a short period without applying heat or physical damage.  

If the stem cells extracted in this way are injected into the body in a balanced manner within a short period of time, the waste of stem cells and fat cells can be minimized. 

Director Shin Dong-jin presented as many as three papers at an academic conference held at Shandong University in China, announcing that stem cell breast augmentation procedures actually contribute to increasing women's breast volume. 

Director Shin emphasized, “Stem cell breast augmentation has many advantages in that it is natural and biocompatible; stem cell facial augmentation has many advantages in that it has a longer duration of effect than fillers or Botox and breathes vitality and elasticity into the face; and intravenous injections have many advantages in that they induce fundamental and positive biological changes.” 

[Edaily Reporter Lee Soon-yong]​