Effects of human adipose-derived stem cells and stromal vascular fraction on cryopreserved fat transfer.

BACKGROUND

The use of cryopreserved adipose tissue for soft tissue augmentation is common, but unpredictability of fat graft viability remains a limitation. Adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) have been introduced to enhance viability and improve the survival of transplanted fat tissue.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether supplementation with ADSC or SVF improved the survival of cryopreserved fat grafts.

METHODS

The cryopreserved fat grafts were treated with ADSC, SVF, or normal saline in 30 six-week-old male nude mice to test whether ADSC and SVF could improve the survival of the transplanted fat tissue. The authors examined the weight, volume, and histological features of each group (n = 10) at 8 weeks after transplantation to evaluate the survival of the fat tissue.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the control and SVF groups with respect to weight, volume, and histological findings. However, the ADSC group showed a significant increase in weight and volume compared with the control and SVF groups. Histological examination showed that the ADSC supplementation improved the quality of the transplanted fat grafts.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these results suggest a potential clinical utility of ADSC but no advantage of SVF in facilitating cryopreserved fat transfer.