Micro-Fragmented Fat Shows Promise in Reducing Sepsis Inflammation

Important Note: This Research Used Animal Models

Before reading about this study, please understand that this research was conducted in mice, not humans. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate hospital care. This summary is provided for educational purposes about ongoing research. Currently, there are no approved Lipogems® treatments for sepsis in humans. Always follow your medical team's guidance for sepsis treatment.

Severe Sepsis Triggers Dangerous "Cytokine Storm"

Severe sepsis occurs when your body's response to infection spirals out of control. Instead of fighting the infection, your immune system releases a flood of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. This "cytokine storm" damages blood vessels and organs throughout the body. Despite advances in critical care, sepsis remains one of the leading causes of death in hospitals. Researchers are searching for new ways to calm this dangerous inflammatory response.

Researchers Tested Micro-Fragmented Fat in Septic Mice

Scientists from the Institut Pasteur in Paris wanted to know if micro-fragmented adipose tissue (specially processed fat) could help control sepsis. They created a sepsis model in 70 mice using a standard surgical technique. Two hours after sepsis began, they injected either micro-fragmented fat, regular lipoaspirate (unprocessed fat), or salt water into the mice's abdomens. The fat tissue came from four healthy women who donated it during elective cosmetic procedures.

Inflammatory Scores Dropped Nearly in Half

The results were striking. Mice that received micro-fragmented fat had significantly lower inflammation scores compared to those given salt water. The median score dropped from 17 to 9 on a scale where higher numbers mean worse inflammation. The treated mice also showed improvements in survival rates, body temperature, and tissue health. Blood tests revealed lower levels of harmful inflammatory markers in the treated animals.

The Treatment Works Through Specific Pathways

The researchers wanted to understand how micro-fragmented fat reduces inflammation. They found that the protective effects disappeared when they blocked either:

• Macrophages (immune cells that help regulate inflammation)

• COX-2 (an enzyme involved in the inflammatory process)

However, blocking COX-1 (a related enzyme) did not affect the results. This suggests the treatment works through specific biological pathways rather than general effects. The intact structure of micro-fragmented fat appears important. When researchers chopped up the fat tissue or processed it with enzymes, the benefits were reduced.

What This Means for Future Sepsis Research

This study provides early evidence that micro-fragmented fat has anti-inflammatory properties. The Lipogems® processing system can prepare this tissue in about 20 minutes. This speed could be valuable in emergency situations like sepsis. The fat contains mesenchymal stem cells and pericytes that may help calm the immune system. These findings support further research into regenerative treatments for severe inflammation.

Critical Limitations to Consider

This was an animal study with important limitations:

• Mouse immune systems differ from human immune systems

• The fat was injected just two hours after sepsis started

• Real-world sepsis is often diagnosed later

• No human clinical trials exist for this use

• Current sepsis treatment requires antibiotics and supportive care

The researchers concluded that micro-fragmented fat "warrants further investigation" for sepsis treatment. This means much more research is needed before any human applications could be considered. If you or a loved one has sepsis, follow established medical protocols and discuss any questions about emerging research with your healthcare team.

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Source: Bouglé et al., British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2018.