Does Water-Jet Force Affect Cryopreserved Adipose-Derived Stem Cells? Evidence of Improved Cell Viability and Fat Graft Survival.

[BACKGROUND] Adipose tissue harvested by liposuctions is an available source of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). Water-jet-assisted liposuction is a favorable method for fat collection with little mechanical damage. This study aimed to investigate whether or not the water-jet-assisted liposuction made a difference in the biological characteristics of cryopreserved ASCs and fat graft survival in cell-assisted lipotransfer.

[METHODS] Human lipoaspirates were obtained from the abdomen or thighs of 20 female participants for body contouring. A single surgeon randomly harvested 50 mL of adipose tissue by the water-jet-assisted liposuction and the conventional liposuction, respectively. Adipose-derived stem cells were isolated from lipoaspirates and then cryopreserved for 4 weeks. Cryopreserved ASCs were used to examine the surface markers, cell proliferation, migration, and adipogenic differentiation in vitro. The fat survival of ASCs-enriched grafts from different liposuctions was measured in animal models.

[RESULTS] The cryopreserved ASCs with the water-jet assistance had better capacities of cell proliferation, migration, and adipogenic differentiation and achieved a better survival result of ASCs-enriched fat grafting.

[CONCLUSIONS] Cryopreservation of ASCs with the water-jet force showed more excellent biological characteristics. The water-jet-assisted liposuction was superior to the conventional liposuction in obtaining ASCs and fat survival of coimplantation with grafts.