Adipose Tissue Stem Cell Therapies
Why Do We Use Adipose Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine?
Adipose tissue is the body’s loose connective tissue that contains adipocytes or lipocytes, which are fat cells, under the skin and around internal organs. These fat cells store energy and provide insulation. They also contain stem cells that have an innate ability to regenerate tissues and bone, like the stem cells found in bone marrow. However, adipose tissue typically contains a much higher volume of progenitor, or mesenchymal, stem cells than a bone marrow sample of the same size—and, these cells are much easier to extract through a conservative liposuction-like procedure. In addition, isolating and activating the adipose-derived stem cells usually takes less time than bone marrow stem cells. And the injection can be made into a joint, tendon, ligament, or muscle.What Do These Cells Do?
Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells have shown promise in suppressing unhealthy immune responses in people with autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Like the stem cells from bone marrow, they have also been shown to differentiate and regenerate into many different types of cells after injection.
Because the process of extraction is less invasive and yields a larger quantity of cells, you’re likely to experience less pain during and after the procedure—and to recover faster. Usually, you can have both the extraction and injection procedures within the same appointment. You’re also likely to experience relief from pain and inflammation within just a few days.