Background: Autologous fat transplantation has become increasingly popular in plastic surgery. However, high resorption rate limits the utility of this technique. To address this problem, this study examined fat transplantation with oxygen-generating microspheres and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in a rat model.
Methods: The rats were assigned to four groups. Group 1 had fat transplantation only; group 2, fat transplantation with oxygen-generating microspheres; group 3, fat transplantation with ASCs; group 4, fat transplantation with oxygen-generating microspheres and ASCs.
Results: At postoperative 2 weeks, compared to the control group, weight and volume increased significantly in groups 3 and 4. The survival distance of fat cells from the margin of transplanted tissue was 247 μm in group 1, 379 μm group 2, 521 μm in group 3, and 669 μm in group 4. All of the experimental groups were significantly increased. Growth factors (fibroblast growth factor- 2 [FGF-2], insulin-like growth factor-1, epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor) analysis was performed through real-time polymerase chain reaction. Compared to the control group, the mean of the periods was statistically significant at FGF-2 in group 3 and FGF-2, insulin-like growth factor-1, and epidermal growth factor in group 4.
Conclusions: In this study, fat transplantation was improved with oxygen-generating microspheres and ASCs. The oxygen-generating microspheres supply oxygen to adipocytes and ASCs where diffusion does not occur, increasing cell survival rate. Surviving ASCs become involved in the metabolic processes for adipocytes and induce angiogenesis. Therefore, fat transplantation result was improved. Excessive oxygen supply, however, reduces angiogenesis and may cause oxygen toxicity. So, further evaluation of oxygen-generating microspheres is necessary for application to tissues to determine appropriate oxygen concentration and a valid oxygen release period.