Metformin Promotes Mechanical Stretch-Induced Skin Regeneration by Improving the Proliferative Activity of Skin-Derived Stem Cells

The study investigated the effects of topical metformin on skin regeneration in a mechanically stretched scalp model using 20 male rats, divided into metformin-treated (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. The results showed that metformin significantly improved skin regeneration by increasing the thickness of the epidermis and dermis, the number of blood vessels, and the dermal collagen volume fraction. Additionally, there was a notable increase in the number of proliferating cells and stem cells in hair follicles and epidermis in the metformin-treated group. Western blot analysis confirmed increased expression of stem cell markers. The findings suggest that metformin enhances the regenerative capacity of mechanically stretched skin by boosting the proliferative activity of skin-derived stem cells.