Fat – The Magic Repair Kit In Everyone’s Body
There is a global epidemic of obesity. While we know the dangers of obesity, fat tissue also has important functions in human body. Additionally, fat is our own source of regenerative cells that help in tissue repair ; they can be activated to solve many medical and beauty problems when correctly deployed. We all carry our own repair kits!
Composition of Fat and Discovery of ADSCs
Fat is a complex tissue consisting of fat cells (adipocytes), supporting fiber networks, blood vessels and several other cells (collectively called Stromal Vascular Fraction or SVF) including stem cells (called adipose derived stem cells or ADSC). ADSC cells in fat were discovered only in 2001 by Zuk et al from UCLA California. ADSCs belong to the group of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that play important roles in tissue formation, repair and regeneration. MSCs have been traditionally harvested from bone marrow but fat has 500 times more stem cells than bone-marrow and is far easier to harvest by liposuction.
How ADSCs Work in the Body
The ADSCs and pre-adipocytes present in fat are usually dormant; they get activated in the face of injury, hypoxia (low oxygen concentration) and other situations. The activated cells divide, replacing themselves and also produce more cells and growth factors (GF). These cells and GF can increase blood flow, reduce scars, rejuvenate or replace tired or dead cells and also reduce inflammation and pain in the targeted areas. This is called paracrine effect. They also enhance local tissue volume.
Isolating and Preserving ADSCs
Isolating ADSCs from fat is a high-tech science; fortunately, Dubai has a lab to prepare SVF from fat, then isolate the ADSCs, multiply them in cell culture to several hundred millions and store them cryogenically for 2-5 years. These cells can be used anytime for the same patient.
Clinical Applications of Fat and Stem Cells
Dr. Mohan Rangaswamy , chief of plastic surgery at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital is using fat grafts, SVF and cultured stem cells extensively. He spoke to us about the many indications for human use.
Cosmetic Applications
In cosmetology, the list is long. These cells can rejuvenate ageing skin, correct volume deficiencies in face, breast, buttocks or hands, improve genital area sensibility and correct post-surgical problems including the terrible complications created by injections of illegal fillers.
Reconstructive Surgery
Fat is useful in reconstructive surgery to soften scars, heal difficult wounds, in post cancer breast reconstruction and even to reverse radiation damage. Dr. Mohan’s work on healing wounds by using only fat and PRP gels was published in the prestigious PRS GO journal in 2021.
Medical Conditions
Several medical conditions are also benefited by fat or ADSCs: knee arthritis, Raynauds disease, Scleroderma, sub-fertility in ovaries to name a few. Experimental work and trials are ongoing for stroke, myocardial infarction, spinal trauma and other conditions.
Future of Fat-Derived Therapies
We must acknowledge that this is a very new therapy and knowledge is still incomplete, issues regarding the right dose of cells and standardization are still being worked out. But certainly we are in exciting times.. who would have thought that the humble and often hated fat can come to your rescue like a silent trusted friend.