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Effect of Tyramine-Based Hyaluronan Hydrogel on Fat Graft Survival
Mohammed Alghoul, MD, Amanda Mendiola, MD, Rahul Seth, MD, Anthony Calabro, PhD, Brian Rubin, MD, PhD, Maria Siemionow, MD, James Zins, MD, Shashidhar Kusuma, MD
Cleveland Clinic
2010-04-01
Presenter: Mohammed Alghoul
Affidavit:
Director Name:
Author Category: Resident/Fellow
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: Aesthetics
Introduction: Transplantation of autologous fat grafts is widely used for soft tissue augmentation. The reduction in volume of the graft due to resorption is thought to be partly related to insufficient vascularization. Hyaluronan has been shown to be a promising cell carrier in adipose tissue engineering and to induce angiogenesis.
Methods: Fat was harvested from the groins of 18 rats, processed and injected on the dorsum as two implants (0.8 cc each). The first implant contained fat alone and the second contained fat and tyramine-based hyaluronan hydrogel (T-HA) in 1:1 mix (fat + T-HA). CT scan with volumetric analysis was performed at base line and at 4 weeks (n=9) and at 12 weeks (n=9). Histological studies were performed with hematoxylin and eosin and CD 31 stains.
Results: One rat died from anesthesia. All grafts were clinically viable. The change in graft volume did not differ over time between fat alone and fat + T-HA at either 4 or 12 weeks. Fat necrosis was significantly greater in the fat group compared to fat + T-HA group overall (p<0.001) and at 4 weeks (p=0.008), but was not significantly different in the 12-week group. Blood vessel density was significantly greater in the fat + T-HA grafts at 12 weeks.
Conclusion: Hyaluronan gels are compatible with adipose tissue and may enhance cell viability, and angiogenesis. Despite reducing adipocyte necrosis, this did not translate into a clinical change in graft volume or viability.
