McDaniel David, Fritz Klaus, Machovcova Alema, Bernardy Jan
J Drugs Dermatol. 2014 Nov;13(11):1336-40.
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effect of monopolar, focused radiofrequency (RF) with embedded cooling on subcutaneous skin structures. Specifically, the study was to prove that the monopolar RF with cooling can selectively heat fat, causing disintegration of adipocytes and programmed cell death (apoptosis) of the subcutaneous fat cells.
A non-invasive monopolar RF device with cooling (Exilis Elite, BTL Industries, Framingham, MA) was used to reduce abdominal fat in a porcine model. The study was done on 3 Vietnamese pigs in a certified veterinary facility. The treatment was delivered to an area the size of 20 x 10cm. The treatment duration was 11 minutes, 30 seconds. Biopsy samples were taken before the first treatment, 1 hour post each treatment, as well as 8 and 20 hours post each treatment. Programmed cell death (apoptosis) was monitored using the TUNEL method. The temperature was measured on the skin surface by an infrared thermal imager and built-in IR thermometer, and by an internal probe inserted into various depths of the subcutaneous layer. The internal probe placement was monitored by diagnostic ultrasound examination.
The temperature in the treated adipose tissue was higher compared to the skin surface temperature. The average temperature gradient observed was 3.1°C. Due to the temperature gradient the skin surface remained intact, while subcutaneous layers showed significant changes. The TUNEL method proved large-scale apoptosis of fat cells after each treatment. The apoptotic index increased from 7% before the first treatment to an average of 53.4%, 39.6%, 40.2%, and 44.7% respectively for each treatment. In the three-month follow up the apoptotic index dropped back to 11.7%. Histology, blood biochemistry and hematology samples showed mild to no signs of inflammation in the treated area.
The study has shown that use of monopolar, focused radiofrequency can induce substantial apoptotic process in a porcine model. The data suggests that the monopolar, focused radiofrequency device can be used for reduction of fat and body shaping.
本研究的目的是证明带有嵌入式冷却装置的单极聚焦射频（RF）对皮下皮肤结构的影响。具体而言，该研究旨在证明带冷却功能的单极射频能够选择性地加热脂肪，导致脂肪细胞解体以及皮下脂肪细胞发生程序性细胞死亡（凋亡）。
使用一种带有冷却功能的非侵入性单极射频设备（Exilis Elite，BTL Industries，弗雷明汉，马萨诸塞州）在猪模型中减少腹部脂肪。该研究在一家经认证的兽医机构对3头越南猪进行。治疗区域大小为20×10厘米。治疗持续时间为11分30秒。在首次治疗前、每次治疗后1小时以及每次治疗后8小时和20小时采集活检样本。使用TUNEL法监测程序性细胞死亡（凋亡）情况。通过红外热成像仪和内置红外温度计在皮肤表面测量温度，并通过插入皮下层不同深度的内部探头测量温度。通过诊断超声检查监测内部探头的放置位置。
与皮肤表面温度相比，治疗的脂肪组织温度更高。观察到的平均温度梯度为3.1°C。由于温度梯度，皮肤表面保持完整，而皮下层出现了显著变化。TUNEL法证明每次治疗后脂肪细胞发生大规模凋亡。凋亡指数从首次治疗前的7%分别增加到每次治疗后的平均53.4%、39.6%、40.2%和44.7%。在三个月的随访中，凋亡指数降至11.7%。组织学、血液生化和血液学样本显示治疗区域有轻度至无炎症迹象。
该研究表明，在猪模型中使用单极聚焦射频可诱导大量凋亡过程。数据表明，单极聚焦射频设备可用于减脂和塑形。
