Physicochemical and Biological Modifications in Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Derived Conditioned Media Under Hypoxic Preconditioning: Impact on Oxidative Stress and Nanoparticle Stability

Hypoxic preconditioning (HP) is a promising approach to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by modulating their oxidative stress response, metabolic activity, and secretome composition. Conditioned media (CM) obtained from MSCs cultured under hypoxia contains bioactive molecules and extracellular vesicles (EVs) that support regenerative processes. However, the effects of varying oxygen levels on the redox status and physicochemical characteristics of MSC-derived CM remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate how two physiologically relevant oxygen concentrations (1% and 5%) influence oxidative stress parameters and nanoparticle features in Wharton's jelly-derived MSC (WJ-MSC)-conditioned media. Cells were cultured under 1% or 5% O₂ and subjected to serum starvation for 48 or 72 h. CM samples were analyzed for total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI). Nanoparticle size and zeta potential were evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), and HIF-1α levels were quantified via ELISA. Results showed that CM from 1% O₂ cultures exhibited significantly higher oxidative stress, with elevated TOS and OSI values and reduced TAS levels, particularly after 72 h. Nanoparticle size was initially larger under 1% O₂ but decreased with time, whereas 5% O₂ supported more stable size profiles. Zeta potential measurements revealed more negative values under 5% O₂, indicating greater colloidal stability. HIF-1α expression markedly increased under 1% O₂, confirming hypoxia-induced cellular adaptation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that graded hypoxia distinctly modulates oxidative stress and nanoparticle characteristics in MSC-derived CM. These findings provide a basis for optimizing hypoxic preconditioning protocols to improve the quality and therapeutic potential of acellular MSC-based therapies.