Stem Cell Secretome Treatment Reduces Adiposity and Improves Glucose Handling During Obesity and Weight Loss in Mice.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the effects of a stem cell-derived secretome product on adiposity and tissue quality and insulin and glucose levels in obese mice and those undergoing dietary weight loss. METHODS: Following 16 weeks of high fat diet mice received acute (4 weeks) biweekly intramuscular injections with vehicle or secretome while remaining on a high fat diet (HFD vs. HFD-S) or during weight loss upon return to a normal chow diet (HFD/WL vs. HFD/WL-S). RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, HFD-S mice had greater lean mass (vs HFD), muscle weights, and quadriceps myofibrillar size and improved muscle quality (capillary density and fibrosis). HFD/WL-S mice had accelerated whole-body fat loss and improved glucose handling, fasting insulin levels, and HOMA-IR. In both secretome-treated groups (HFD-S and HFD/WL-S), liver steatosis and fibrosis were improved and similar to chow controls. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these results support that a stem cell secretome treatment may be useful to improve tissue quality and metabolic health during obesity and weight loss.