Arch Plast Surg.  2015 Nov;42(6):677-685. 10.5999/aps.2015.42.6.677.

The Relationship of a Combination of Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells and Frozen Fat with the Survival Rate of Transplanted Fat

• Ha KY
• Park H
• Park SH
• Lee BI
• Ji YH
• Kim TY
• Yoon ES

• KMID: 2152447
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2015.42.6.677

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The survival rate of grafted fat is difficult to predict, and repeated procedures are frequently required. In this study, the effects of the freezing period of harvested adipose tissue and the addition of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) on the process of fat absorption were studied.
METHODS
Adipose tissue was obtained from patients who underwent a lipoaspirated fat graft. The fat tissue was cryopreserved at -20degrees C in a domestic refrigerator. A total of 40 nude mice were used. The mice in the experimental group received three different subcutaneous injections in the back: an injection of fresh fat and ASCs, an injection of fat that had been frozen for one month and ASCs, and an injection of fat that had been frozen for two months and ASCs. The control mice received fat grafts without ASCs. The mice were sacrificed at four or eight weeks after the procedure, and the grafted fat tissues were harvested. The extracted fat was evaluated using photographic analysis, volume measurements, and histological examination.
RESULTS
In the control group, the fat resorption rates four weeks after transplantation in the grafts of fresh fat, fat that had been frozen for one month, and fat that had been frozen for two months were 21.14%, 22.46%, and 42.56%, respectively. In the experimental group, the corresponding resorption rates were 6.68%, 13.0%, and 33.9%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
ASCs can increase the fat graft survival rate. The use of ASCs in fat grafting can reduce the need for repeated fat grafts and provide good long term results.

Keyword

Stem cells; Cryopreservation; Injections, subcutaneous; Adipose tissue

MeSH Terms

Absorption
Adipose Tissue
Animals
Cryopreservation
Freezing
Graft Survival
Humans*
Injections, Subcutaneous
Mice
Mice, Nude
Stem Cells*
Survival Rate*
Transplants