Understanding How Micro-Fragmented Fat Tissue Fights Inflammation Long-Term
Sara Nava, Valeria Sordi, Luisa Pascucci, Carlo Tremolada, Emilio Ciusani, Offer Zeira, Moris Cadei, Gianni Soldati, Augusto Pessina, Eugenio Parati, Mark Slevin, Giulio Alessandri · Stem Cells International · 2019
Processed Fat Tissue Keeps Healing Cells Alive for Weeks
This laboratory study compared two types of fat tissue preparations. One was standard lipoaspirate (LP)—fat removed during liposuction. The other was micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT), created using the Lipogems® device. Researchers wanted to understand why MFAT seems to provide longer-lasting benefits in patients with conditions like osteoarthritis.
The team collected fat tissue samples from 17 donors. They grew both LP and MFAT in laboratory dishes without added nutrients. They tracked how long the healing cells survived in each preparation.
MFAT Preserves Regenerative Cells Better Than Standard Fat
The study revealed a striking difference between the two preparations. In MFAT samples, the number of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)—your body's natural repair cells—decreased much more slowly over time. Standard LP lost its healing cells quickly. MFAT maintained its cell content for weeks longer.
This matters because MSCs are responsible for much of fat tissue's healing power. These cells release substances that calm inflammation and support tissue repair. The longer they survive, the longer they can do their job.
Anti-Inflammatory Substances Released for Up to Four Weeks
Both preparations released helpful proteins called cytokines and growth factors. During the first week, LP and MFAT released similar amounts. However:
LP's production dropped sharply after seven days
MFAT continued releasing anti-inflammatory substances for up to 28 days
The total amount of beneficial proteins from MFAT far exceeded LP over time
This extended release may explain why patients often experience lasting relief after a single MFAT injection.
Lab Tests Show Powerful Inflammation-Blocking Effects
Researchers tested how well each preparation could calm inflammatory cells. They used a type of immune cell called monocytes, which drive inflammation in conditions like arthritis.
The fluid from MFAT cultures strongly blocked these inflammatory cells. This worked whether researchers collected the fluid early (three to seven days) or late (14 to 28 days). In contrast, LP's anti-inflammatory power faded dramatically after just one week.
What Makes MFAT Different from Regular Fat Tissue?
The Lipogems® processing method appears to create a protective environment for healing cells. The gentle mechanical technique:
Breaks fat into tiny clusters that shelter regenerative cells
Removes blood and oil residues that may harm cells
Preserves the natural structure that keeps MSCs healthy
Requires no enzymes or chemicals that might damage cells
The resulting micro-fragmented tissue acts like a natural "bioreactor." It continues producing healing substances long after injection.
Key Takeaways for Patients Considering Treatment
This laboratory research helps explain clinical observations. Many patients with osteoarthritis report benefits lasting months after a single MFAT injection. This study suggests why: the processed fat tissue continues releasing anti-inflammatory substances for weeks.
Important points to remember:
This was a laboratory study, not a clinical trial in patients
Results suggest MFAT may provide longer-lasting effects than unprocessed fat
The anti-inflammatory activity remained strong for at least four weeks
MFAT uses your own tissue, reducing rejection risks
While laboratory studies cannot predict exactly what will happen in your body, this research adds to our understanding of how micro-fragmented fat tissue supports healing. It provides scientific evidence for the prolonged benefits many patients experience.
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Source: Nava et al., Stem Cells International, 2019.
Original Publication
Long-Lasting Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Human Microfragmented Adipose Tissue
Sara Nava, Valeria Sordi, Luisa Pascucci, Carlo Tremolada, Emilio Ciusani, Offer Zeira, Moris Cadei, Gianni Soldati, Augusto Pessina, Eugenio Parati, Mark Slevin, Giulio Alessandri · Stem Cells International · 2019
Over the last few years, human microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT), containing significant levels of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and obtained from fat lipoaspirate (LP) through a minimal manipulation in a closed system device, has been successfully used in aesthetic medicine as well as in orthopedic and general surgery. Interestingly, in orthopedic diseases, this ready-to-use adipose tissue cell derivative seems to have a prolonged time efficacy even upon a single shot injection into osteoarthritic tissues. Here, we investigated the long-term survival and content of MSCs as well the anti-inflammatory activity of LP and its derived MFAT in vitro, with the aim to better understand a possible in vivo mechanism of action. MFAT and LP specimens from 17 human donors were investigated side by side. During a long-term culture in serum-free medium, we found that the total cell number as well the MSC content in MFAT decreased more slowly if compared to those from LP specimens. The analysis of cytokines and growth factors secreted into the conditioned medium (CM) was similar in MFAT and LP during the first week of culture, but the total amount of cytokines secreted by LP decreased much more rapidly than those produced by MFAT during prolonged culture (up to 28 days). Similarly, the addition of MFAT-CM recovered at early (3-7 days) and late stage (14-28 days) of culture strongly inhibited inflammatory function of U937 monocyte cell line, whereas the anti-inflammatory activity of LP-CM was drastically reduced after only 7 days of culture. We conclude that MFAT is an effective preparation with a long-lasting anti-inflammatory activity probably mediated by a long-term survival of their MSC content that releases a combination of cytokines that affect several mechanisms involved in inflammation processes.