Objective: The purposes of this study was to assess the effect of repeated subcutaneous injections of CO2 on adipose tissue graft survival in immunosuppressed female nude mice. The authors designed an experimental study using volume measures, histopathological analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance of fat graft. The effect of repeated subcutaneous injection of CO2 is not yet investigated
Materials and methods: Approximately 0.5 ml of human fat were transplanted in a group of female nude mice. The mice were treated with 3 injections of 80 µl each carbon dioxide (total 240 µl) for 7 weeks. Initially, in vivo measurements were conducted and subsequently a comprehensive histopathological analysis was performed.
Results: The presence of inflammation was graded absent to minimal in animals treated with CO2 while a minimal to moderate grade was assigned to the control group.
Conclusions: CO2 injection enhances the inflammatory response of the implanted tissue and reduces the reabsorption rate. The treatment may improve the graft survival in a more prolonged time-frame.