Adipogenic factor-loaded microspheres increase retention of transplanted adipose tissue

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

The aim of this study was to develop and test a controlled delivery system of two adipogenic factors (insulin and dexamethasone [Dex]), to generate stable adipose tissue when mixed with disaggregated human fat. Both drugs were encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), (PLGA) microspheres (MS) and mixed with human lipoaspirate to induce adipogenesis in vivo. It was hypothesized that the slow release of insulin and Dex would enhance both adipogenesis and angiogenesis, thus retaining the fat graft volume in a nude mouse model. Insulin/Dex-loaded PLGA MS (Insulin/Dex MS) were prepared using both single and double emulsion/solvent extraction techniques. The bioactivity of the drugs was assessed by mixing the MS with human lipoaspirate and injecting subcutaneously into the dorsal aspect of an athymic mouse. Five doses of the drugs were examined and samples were analyzed grossly and histologically after 5 weeks in vivo. Mass and volume of the grafts were measured with the microsphere-containing samples, demonstrating increased mass and volume with increasing drug doses. Histological analysis, including H&E and CD31, indicated increased vascularization within the insulin/Dex MS-containing samples compared with the lipoaspirate-only samples. This study demonstrates that the controlled delivery of adipogenic factors such as insulin and Dex through polymer MS can significantly enhanc

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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