Adipose-derived stem cells for regenerative medicine: yield of stromal vascular fraction from liposuction or lumbar resection

Abstract

Adipose tissue represents an important, easily available source of mesenchymal stem cells (ADASc) for regenerative medicine. These cells are abundant in the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and they share many characteristics of bone marrow-derived stem cells, including a significant ability for multilineage differentiation. An intriguing challenge is posed by the choice of the optimal site and collecting technique according to subject characteristics. In this work, Coleman’s abdominal liposuction or dorsal resection have been employed, and SVF yield was evaluated in terms of cell recovery and vitality, taking into account the effect of gender, age and body mass index (BMI). A total number of 37 informed subjects (14 males and 23 females) were enrolled for adipose tissue recovery. In order to evaluate the effect of age, BMI, gender and recovery technique on SVF yield and vitality, an analysis of covariance model (ANCOVA) was applied, considering collection technique and gender as fixed factors, and age and BMI as covariates, possibly aging as confounding variables. ANCOVA results indicate that Coleman’s liposuction technique leads to higher recovery rates of stromal vascular fraction with respect to resection, taking into account gender, body mass index and age of subject. The high recovery rates should be confirmed by the SVF selection by plating, typization, as well as differentiation potentiality for stem cell regenerative therapy.