by Mark R. Engelman M.D.
The basics of anti-aging and regenerative medicine in more recent years have been genetics, genomics, epigenetics and immunology. The latest theories in regenerative medicine promote the importance of the niche in biology. In its simplified explanation, a biological entity’s functional state is a product of its surroundings or milieu. The more one understands science, the more one is struck by the concept that basically nothing exists alone, but is influenced profoundly by its milieu or niche. Humans are profoundly influenced by where they live, what they eat, how much they exercise, what their relationships are with friends and family, etc. The better these surroundings are, the better life and performance are. Cells and biological systems function similarly. The more one can duplicate or even enhance the cellular or tissue niche, the more optimal the expressed cellular purpose performance will be.
The niche not only contains many components, but they are in very specific concentrations that nature has figured out are the most beneficial for the best results. Because one component is present in the mixture, removing that component, multiplying it and then applying the multiplied component not only fails to enhance performance, it may diminish it.
This explains why the concept of human umbilical cord serum in cosmetic skin care would be logical because the serum has provided a niche for cellular elements to the developing fetus. The serum logically should provide healthy growth stimulation with a minimum of inflammatory factors.
From a strictly evolutionary stand point, humans' mission is to procreate and successfully raise the children to independence. Once this is accomplished, they have finished their evolutionary mission. The natural systems start to slow down and cells that produce substances that enhance and prolong beauty, radiance and youth become less and less active. The main cells involved in skin appearance are fibroblasts. They do many things, but the two most important for skin are production and elaboration of matrix and collagen. These are constantly being destroyed so it is critical to produce sufficient amounts of matrix and collagen to maintain youthful and healthy looking skin.
This increased production is accomplished by stimulation of fibroblasts by a number of substances. Two very important stimulants are growth factors and cell signalers.
Human umbilical cord serum (plasma) has been shown to contain growth factors and cell signalers. The serum is derived in a specific fashion from an FDA-certified, licensed cryobank that separates and freezes cells from the umbilical vein blood of the delivered newborn whose parents have contracted with the cryobank to store the cells.
The serum is free of cellular and genetic materials. The newborn umbilical blood, as well as the mother’s, is rigorously tested to FDA standards for infectious agents.
In a double blind, in-vivo histological test, cord serum significantly increase production of skin matrix (hyaluronic acid) and collagen. By enhancing skin matrix and collagen, the skin appears fuller, tighter, healthier and more radiant.
Since cells become less ambitious as the body ages, they need to be prodded and encouraged. Umbilical cord serum offers a means to stimulate these skin beauty cells.
Mark R. Engelman M.D., is the former medical director and chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at St. Joseph Hospital, Phoenix, Ariz., for more than 20 years. He specializes in anti-aging and regenerative medicine and is the co-developer of the Novo Solutions MD® skin care line.
