Micro-Fragmented Fat Tissue Shows Promise for Cartilage Repair

Rat Study Tests Natural Fat Scaffold for Joint Healing

This 2019 laboratory study explored whether micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT)—specially processed fat from your own body—could help repair damaged cartilage. Researchers wanted to test a simpler approach than traditional stem cell therapies. Traditional methods require removing cells from fat, growing them in a lab for weeks, and using enzymes that may reduce their healing power. MFAT keeps the natural structure of fat tissue intact, preserving the regenerative cells in their original supportive environment.

Fat Tissue Contains Powerful Regenerative Cells

The research team first confirmed that MFAT contains valuable healing cells. Stem cells that emerged from the processed fat tissue showed the ability to transform into three different cell types: fat cells, bone cells, and cartilage cells. Laboratory testing confirmed these cells displayed the expected markers of mesenchymal stem cells (regenerative cells that can become various tissue types). This matters because cartilage repair requires cells that can produce new cartilage tissue.

Lab Tests Show MFAT Attracts Cartilage Cells

Before testing in animals, researchers examined how MFAT affects cartilage cells in laboratory dishes. They found that MFAT significantly increased the movement of cartilage cells toward damaged areas. This "migration" effect is important for healing. When cartilage is injured, cells need to travel to the damaged site to begin repairs. The study showed MFAT releases signals that call cartilage cells to where they're needed most.

Twelve-Week Animal Study Shows Cartilage Regeneration

Researchers created full-thickness cartilage defects in the knee joints of 24 rats. Half received MFAT injections, while the other half received only saline (salt water) as a comparison. The team evaluated healing at six weeks and twelve weeks after treatment.

Key findings included:

• MFAT-treated joints showed better appearance and tissue quality at both time points

• By twelve weeks, treated defects displayed smooth, regular surfaces

• New tissue contained high amounts of hyaline cartilage (the ideal cartilage type found in healthy joints)

• The underlying bone layer reconstructed properly

• Treated cartilage produced the same collagen types found in normal, healthy cartilage

New Tissue Closely Resembled Normal Cartilage

Perhaps most importantly, the cartilage that formed in MFAT-treated joints closely matched the structure of natural, undamaged cartilage. The researchers found proper formation of type I, II, and VI collagen—the building blocks that give cartilage its strength and flexibility. In contrast, defects treated with only saline showed poor healing with irregular surfaces and inferior tissue quality.

What This Means for Patients Considering Treatment

This study provides encouraging evidence that MFAT can support cartilage repair, though it was conducted in rats rather than humans. The research demonstrates several potential advantages of the MFAT approach:

• Same-day procedure: Unlike traditional stem cell therapies requiring weeks of laboratory cell expansion, MFAT can be prepared during a single appointment

• Natural scaffold: The fat tissue structure provides a supportive framework for regenerative cells

• No enzymes needed: Avoiding harsh chemical processing may preserve cell health and function

• Your own tissue: Using autologous (your own) fat eliminates rejection concerns

While animal studies don't guarantee the same results in people, this research helps explain why MFAT-based treatments like Lipogems® may support joint healing. The study adds to our understanding of how processed fat tissue works at the cellular level to promote cartilage regeneration.

Patients with cartilage damage should discuss all treatment options with their healthcare provider. This includes understanding that animal research represents an early step in the scientific process, and individual results may vary.

Source: Xu et al., Cell Transplantation, 2019.