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Vitamin D3 Supports Fat Graft Survival and Retention by Inhibition of Post-Harvest Autophagy
Shawn Loder, MD; Phoebe Lee, BS; Patricia Leftwich; MS; Wayne Nerone, BA; Kacey Marra, PhD; Lauren Kokai, PhD, and J. Peter Rubin, MD
University of Pittsburgh
2021-02-01
Presenter: Shawn Loder
Affidavit:
Certified
Director Name: Vu T. Nguyen, MD
Author Category: Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: Aesthetics
Introduction:
Over 70 percent of plastic surgeons utilize autologous fat in their clinical practice, however, unpredictable resorption remains a significant challenge in surgical planning and patient selection. The post-engraftment niche is hypoxic and pro-inflammatory and we have previously demonstrated that variation in adipose retention tracks to resistance to these conditions. Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) is an orally available, over-the-counter supplement with potent anti-inflammatory properties in adipose. Here we test the potential for cholecalciferol to improve graft retention.
Methods:
Lipoaspirate samples was harvested with a 2 mm cannula under syringe suction for 1) in vitro culture and 2) in vivo engraftment into athymic mice. In vitro samples were maintained 7-days under a) control or b) 15.6 nMol, c) 62.5 nMol, or d) 250 nMol Cholecalciferol treated conditions. After 7-days samples were digested to assess viability. In vivo subjects received a MWF schedule of either saline or 5000 ng Cholecalciferol via IP injection. At 12-weeks mice were sacrificed for graft volume, weight, and histology.
Results:
Cultured untreated adipose demonstrated 77.6+/-2.8% viability at 7 days. Significant increases were noted with both 62.5 nMol (85.3+/-2.9%) and 250 nMol (87.7+/-3.7) cholecalciferol (p<0.05. In vivo cholecalciferol treated fat pads demonstrated significant increase in weight and volume (p<0.01) vs. untreated.
Conclusion:
Cholecalciferol is a safe, FDA-approved, and orally bioavailable alternative to Calcitriol. Our data suggests that at effective doses within the clinically relevant range, Vitamin D3 demonstrated improved adipose viability and graft retention supporting a critical lipo-protective effect in the immediate post-engraftment niche.
