Effects of Cryolipolysis on the Conversion of White Adipose Tissue: Pilot Study

Lasers Surg Med. 2024 Sep 10. doi: 10.1002/lsm.23839. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Introduction: Cryolipolysis (CLL) is a widely employed noninvasive procedure for body fat reduction. It operates by inducing cooling, leading to the crystallization of cytoplasmic lipids, loss of cellular integrity, and apoptosis/necrosis of adipocytes, accompanied by local inflammation. Ongoing discussions revolve around CLL's potential to transform white adipocytes into brown adipocytes, potentially yielding more significant effects compared to alternative procedures.

Objective: Thus, this randomized, blinded clinical study aimed to investigate the effects of CLL on adipose tissue and elucidate the mechanisms involved in its application and capacity for adipocyte conversion.

Methodology: Tissue samples from six patients were assessed at intervals of 45, 60, and 90 days following the application of the CLL protocol during abdominoplasty surgeries.

Results: The samples underwent immunohistochemical analyses targeting various markers, revealing higher expression of PPAR-gamma, PPAR-alpha, and UCP-1 markers in CLL-treated samples.

Conclusion: Therefore, the present study suggests that CLL has the ability to intervene in adipocyte conversion.

Keywords: adipose tissue; cryolipolysis; fat reduction.