Comparison of Microfat, Nanofat, and Extracellular Matrix/Stromal Vascular Fraction Gel for Skin Rejuvenation: Basic Research and Clinical Applications

Abstract

Background Over the past two decades, fat grafting has been extensively applied in the field of tissue regeneration. Objectives The authors investigated the therapeutic potential of microfat, nanofat and extracellular matrix/stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF-gel) in skin rejuvenation. Methods Microfat was harvested by a cannula with multiple 0.8 mm smooth side holes and processed with a fat stirrer to remove fibers. Nanofat and SVF-gel were prepared according to previously reported methods. We evaluated their structure and viability. Then, stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells from the three types of samples were isolated and characterized, and the cell viability was compared. Results The microstructure of the three samples showed distinct differences. The microfat group showed a diameter of 100 to 120 .0μmunder the microscope and presented abotryoid shape under Calcein-AM/Propidium iodide (AM/PI) staining. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the microfat maintained integral histological structure.In the nanofat group, no viable adipocytes and no normal histological structure were observed, with high levels of free lipids.The SVF-gel group showed uniform dispersion of cells with different sizes and parts of the adipose histological structure. Cell count and culture revealed that the number of viable SVF cells decreased distinctly in the nanofat group compared with the microfat group. In contrast, the number of viable SVF cells in the SVF-gel group increased moderately. Clinical applications with microfat showed marked improvements in skin wrinkles. Conclusions The study showed that the microfat could preserve the integrity of the histological structure and presents the advantages of subcutaneous volumetric restoration and improvement of skin quality in skin rejuvenation compared with the nanofat and SVF-gel.

Adipose Collagen Fragment: an Injectable Sustained-release Collagen Scaffold of Adipokines for Preventing Skin Photoaging in Mice

“…In the past decade, several adipose-derived products, such as microfat and SVF-gel, were developed and considered to exert a therapeutic effect on the skin [56,57] . However, limited by the particle size, intradermal injection of these adipose derivatives may be largely limited [58][59][60] .…”

Translational products of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells: Bench to bedside applications

“…Hence, they are a natural recipient site for survival of grafts, and provide a niche for SVF cellular mixtures for tissue regeneration and rejuvenation. Yang et al [ 117 ] harvested microfat from adipose tissue with cannulas that had side holes of less than 1 mm. Examination of the harvests revealed intact fat lobular structures without need of any inter-syringe passages of emulsification procedures.…”

“…Side holes of < 0.8 mm allowed the processed microfat to easily pass through the needles without any blockage. Such harvests, used for skin and facial rejuvenation through 27 gauge needles, revealed the preservation of micro-functional units of fat tissue that retained the regenerative properties of ADSCs[ 117 ]. Caggiati et al [ 119 ] demonstrated a higher yield of ADSCs from lipoaspirates harvested by barbed compared with blunt cannulas, but they found that barbed cannulas cut the fibrous septum and produced higher quantities of coarse fibers that increased the probability of molecular blockage in the needle.…”

“…The cellular components in the microfat induced tissue regeneration through the recruitment of monocyte/macrophage differentiation at the recipient site[ 35 , 120 ]. The cellular yield in microfat (2.28 ± 1.90) × 10 5 cells/mL is higher than the yield in nanofat (4.12 ± 1.37) × 10 4 cells/mL, indicating that nanofat involves mechanical emulsification[ 117 ]. Microfat components integrate into the local environment because of the intact microintegrity of cellular transplant, with inherent resistance to attack by host immune-mediated cells[ 121 ].…”

An Adipose-Derived Injectable Sustained-Release Collagen Scaffold of Adipokines Prepared Through a Fast Mechanical Processing Technique for Preventing Skin Photoaging in Mice

“…In the past decade, several adipose-derived products, such as microfat and SVF-gel, were developed and considered to exert a therapeutic effect on the skin (Xu et al, 2018;Yang et al, 2021). However, limited by the particle size, intradermal injection of these adipose derivatives may be largely limited (Tonnard et al, 2013;Cohen et al, 2017;Suh et al, 2019).…”