Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Overview

Effective Treatments
With A High Engraftment Rate

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

What are adipose-derived stem cells? First, let’s take a look at stem cells. Stem cells are cells that have a unique ability to self replicate and divide into different types of cells. This is known as asymmetric cell division (pluripotency). Stem cells are the only cells with pluripotent capabilities and can be found in almost every part of our bodies, from bones and muscles to fat tissue. Regenerative medicine is a rapidly developing field that uses the unique self replicating abilities of stem cells to heal old and damaged tissues with healthy cells.

Adipose-derived stem cells are stem cells found in fat tissue. But what makes these cells so unique?

Functions

Fat tissue is made of adipocytes and blood vessels. Blood vessels play an important role in tissue maintenance by carrying nutrients and oxygen. Using their pluripotent abilities

Loss Of Fat Tissue→Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Turn Into New Fat Tissue→Preventing Loss Of Fat Tissue

Loss Of Fat Tissue→Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Turn Into New Fat Tissue→Preventing Loss Of Fat Tissue

Fat tissue is made of adipocytes and blood vessels. Blood vessels play an important role in tissue maintenance by carrying nutrients and oxygen. Using their pluripotent abilities adipose-derived stem cells can even self replicate into new blood vessels. Regenerative treatments with adipose-derived stem cells have a high engraftment rate because new blood vessels made by stem cells bring vital nutrients that keep new tissue healthy.

Stem Cells: Stem Cells Create New Blood Vessels That Bring Nutrients & Oxygen To Tissue. No Stem Cells: Nutrients Can’t Reach New Tissue Causing Engraftment Failure & Lumping

Stem Cells: Stem Cells Create New Blood Vessels That Bring Nutrients & Oxygen To Tissue.

No Stem Cells: Nutrients Can’t Reach New Tissue Causing Engraftment Failure & Lumping

Stem cells also have anti-inflammatory properties, and with new research developing each and every day the possibilities of regenerative medicine are endless.

Treatment

STEP 1　
Tissue Sampling

Tissue sampling is the first step of adipose-derived stem cell treatment. A small amount of subcutaneous fat is sampled from areas with high body fat at an accredited medical clinic. Tissue sampling is carefully done using specialized tools for minimal scarring and local anesthesia is applied so patients feel no pain. Patients can choose how much fat tissue should be sampled for treatment.

Tissue Sampling

STEP 2　
Cell Cultivation

Adipose-derived stem cells are extracted from fat tissue sampled in STEP 1 and carefully cultivated in a fully sterile environment at our nationally accredited CPC. Cultivation takes about 6 weeks and can multiply cells up to a factor of 1,000. Cultivated cells can also be stored long-term through our unique cryopreservation service, making treatments possible at any time.

Sample→Cultivated Stem Cells Mixed With Fat Tissue→Injection: Injecting Fat Tissue With High Stem Cell Content

Sample

Cultivated Stem Cells Mixed With Fat Tissue

Injection: Injecting Fat Tissue With High Stem Cell Content

STEP 3　
Injection

Injection of cultivated adipose-derived stem cells is the final step of treatment. Before injection another small sample of fat tissue must be sampled from the patient. Cultivated cells are added to this tissue sample and injected into the treatment area. This extra step helps ensure a high engraftment rate by injecting fat tissue with a high concentration of stem cells.

Inject Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Inject Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Breast Enhancements

Conventional enhancements with silicone implants and hyaluronic acid injections are easily susceptible to foreign body reactions and short-term results. Unlike conventional enhancements, adipose-based regenerative treatments eliminate the risk of foregin body reactions and make it easy for patients to achieve long-lasting, natural results thanks to the high engraftment rates of injected tissue with adipose-derived stem cells. And because cell cultivation only requires a small tissue sample, breast enhancements with adipose-derived stem cells are safe and effective for any body type.

Osteoarthritis

Hyaluronic acid injections have been the main non-surgical treatment option for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, but these treatments don’t address the root cause of osteoarthritis pain. Therapeutic results of hyaluronic acid injections usually only last less than 1 month, so patients need frequent injections to keep their pain under control. But even with frequent hyaluronic injections patients can still struggle with chronic pain, and might even need a total knee replacement if their symptoms keep getting worse. Knee replacement surgeries come with many risks like thrombolysis and infections, and patients can still struggle with limited range of motion. Adipose-derived stem cell treatments give osteoarthritis a new option without the risks of knee replacement surgery. Adipose-derived stem cells can reduce pain by replenishing lost cartilage in the knee joint with no risk of side effects like foreign body reactions. With proper rehabilitation, osteoarthritis patients can enjoy a fully renewed quality of life.

Adipose-derived stem cells also have the potential to treat countless other ailments, including rheumatoid arthritis and spinal cord injuries.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Treatments

Pros

① Safe

Regenerative treatments only use cells from each patient’s own body, so there are no risks of harmful side effects like FBR. While conventional adipose injections usually have low stem cell counts that cause engraftment failure and lumping, adipose-derived stem cells make treatment safe and risk-free.

② Non-Invasive

Stem cells can be cultivated even from small tissue samples, so regenerative treatments are easy and non-invasive with minimal scarring.

③ For All Body Types

Tissue samples are always taken from areas with naturally higher body fat, so patients with any body type can enjoy effective treatment.

Cons

① Cost

Regenerative treatments are not covered under insurance, so costs can vary from clinic to clinic. In some cases treatments can cost over 1,000,000 yen.

② Uncertainty

Regenerative medicine is still in the experimental stage, so there’s greater uncertainty surrounding potential risks than with more conventional treatments. While there haven’t been any cases of serious problems like necrosis or foreign body reactions from stem cell injections, that doesn’t mean there are no potential long-term risks associated with cell-based treatments. Please talk to your doctor to address any concerns if you’re considering regenerative treatment options.

Adipose-derived stem cells have a lot of potential. With the ability to transform into almost any kind of cell, adipose-derived stem cells are making a wide range of treatments possible.

Adipose-derived stem cells have the ability to transform into almost any kinds of cells (Glial lineages, Neuronal lineage, Beta Islet Cells, Endothelial, Hepatocytes, Keratinocytes, Muscle Cells, Osteoblasts, Chondrocytes, Adipocytes).

Adipose-derived stem cells have the ability to transform into almost any kinds of cells (Glial lineages, Neuronal lineage, Beta Islet Cells, Endothelial, Hepatocytes, Keratinocytes, Muscle Cells, Osteoblasts, Chondrocytes, Adipocytes).

As regenerative medicine continues to develop across the globe, more and more clinics will be able to offer standardized regenerative treatments. Fully standardized regenerative medicine will make safe and effective treatments accessible for anyone, anywhere.