Adipose tissue is composed of various cell types. Approximately one-third of its volume consists of mature adipocytes—fat cells primarily responsible for energy storage and insulation. The remaining two-thirds comprise a diverse cellular population called the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). This includes preadipocytes (immature fat cells), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), fibroblasts, pericytes, endothelial progenitor cells, macrophages, T-cells, and erythrocytes.
From orthopedics and pain management to aesthetics and wound healing Adipose Tissue is on the rise.
Researchers are actively studying the SVF for its regenerative potential, particularly focusing on MSCs, which appear to be the driving force behind many therapeutic benefits. These adipose-derived MSCs have demonstrated the ability to stimulate the production and migration of human dermal fibroblasts and enhance collagen synthesis. They do this by releasing paracrine signals—short-range chemical messengers—and through direct cell-to-cell interaction.
Here are the top five real-world applications of adipose tissue-based therapies: orthopedics, pain management, aesthetics, and wound care.
Top Five Uses of Adipose Tissue in Real-World Practice
Adipose tissue, commonly known as body fat, has become valuable in various medical fields due to its abundance of regenerative cells, including adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). These cells possess the ability to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and support tissue regeneration. Below are the top five real-world applications of adipose tissue, spanning orthopedics, pain management, aesthetics, and wound healing:
1. Orthopedics: Joint and Cartilage Regeneration
Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are increasingly used to treat osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration, particularly in the knee, hip, and shoulder joints. By leveraging the regenerative properties of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), clinicians aim to reduce inflammation, promote cartilage repair, and improve joint function—often serving as an alternative to surgery or prolonging the need for joint replacement.
- Adipose-derived stem cells and stromal vascular fractions (SVF) are increasingly used to treat orthopedic conditions such as osteoarthritis, cartilage defects, meniscus tears, tendon injuries, and femoral head osteonecrosis.
- Clinical studies report that intra-articular injections of adipose tissue can decrease pain, improve joint function, and even promote cartilage repair, with benefits lasting up to five years in some cases.
These therapies are often used as alternatives or adjuncts to surgery, leveraging the regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties of ADSCs
2. Pain Management: Treating Chronic Tendon and Ligament Injuries
In regenerative orthobiologics, adipose tissue plays a significant role in healing chronic tendonitis and ligament injuries. Through ultrasound-guided injections, ADSCs are delivered to damaged tissues, reducing inflammation and stimulating cellular repair. This approach effectively treats conditions like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff tendinopathy.
- Adipose tissue is used in regenerative medicine procedures to manage chronic pain, especially musculoskeletal disorders.
- Harvested fat is processed to isolate regenerative cells, which are then injected into painful joints or injured tissues. These cells release growth factors and anti-inflammatory substances, reducing pain and stimulating natural repair mechanisms.
The minimally invasive nature of these procedures allows for quicker recovery and lower risk of complications compared to traditional surgical interventions.
3. Aesthetic Medicine: Facial Rejuvenation, Volume Restoration and Reconstructive Surgery
In cosmetic procedures, processed adipose tissue is used for natural facial volumization, wrinkle reduction, and skin rejuvenation. Unlike synthetic fillers, fat grafting with SVF not only restores volume but also supports long-term skin quality through collagen production and tissue regeneration, thanks to the presence of regenerative cells.
- Fat grafting (lipofilling) is a cornerstone aesthetic medicine technique used for facial rejuvenation, breast reconstruction, and body contouring.
- Autologous adipose tissue provides a natural and lasting result, improving volume and contour in areas affected by aging, trauma, or surgery.
The regenerative properties of ADSCs also contribute to improved skin quality and healing in aesthetic procedures.
4. Wound Healing and Scar Tissue Repair
Chronic wounds, diabetic ulcers, radiation injuries, and surgical scars have shown significant improvement when treated with adipose-derived cells. The SVF enhances angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), reduces inflammation, and accelerates the wound healing cascade—making it especially useful in patients with poor healing capacity.
- Dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT) and ADSCs play a crucial role in wound healing by releasing growth factors, cytokines, and antimicrobial peptides.
- These cells promote keratinocyte migration, enhance angiogenesis, regulate inflammation, and facilitate the regeneration of skin and underlying tissues.
Adipose-derived stem cells can be transplanted or used in bioengineered constructs to accelerate healing and reduce scarring in chronic or complex wounds.
5. Immune Modulation and Infection Control in Skin Injuries
In addition to immune modulation, adipose-derived cells help reinforce the skin’s barrier by promoting keratinocyte proliferation and supporting extracellular matrix remodeling. This dual action accelerates closure of chronic wounds and improves resistance to microbial invasion, offering a multifaceted approach to infection control in compromised skin.
- Adipose tissue, particularly dWAT, contributes to immune defense in the skin by producing antimicrobial peptides and modulating immune cell responses during wound healing
ADSCs can polarize macrophages toward a pro-repair phenotype, reduce excessive inflammation, and improve overall tissue regeneration, making adipose tissue valuable in managing infected or non-healing wounds.
Adipose tissue’s versatility and regenerative potential continue to expand its applications across medical disciplines, offering minimally invasive, autologous solutions for tissue repair, pain relief, cosmetic enhancement, and wound management.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5282826/
https://ascpm.com/regenerative-medicine/adipose-procedure/
Caforio, M., & Nobile, C. (2021). Intra-articular administration of autologous purified adipose tissue associated with arthroscopy ameliorates knee osteoarthritis symptoms. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(10), 2053–2059. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10102053
Rodríguez-Fuentes, D. E., Fernández-Garza, L. E., Samia-Meza, J. A., Barrera-Barrera, S. A., Caplan, A. I., & Barrera-Saldaña, H. A. (2021). Mesenchymal stem cells current clinical applications: A systematic review. Archives of Medical Research, 52(1), 93–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arcmed.2020.08.006
Trevor, L. V., Riches-Suman, K., Mahajan, A. L., & Thornton, M. J. (2020). Adipose tissue: A source of stem cells with potential for regenerative therapies for wound healing. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(7), 2161–2165. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9072161
LipoGems. (2021, April 25). The natural way to heal using your own powerful fat: LipoGems. Understand LipoGems. https://understandlipogems.com/the-lipogems-difference/
Gobbi, A., Dallo, I., Rogers, C., Striano, R. D., Mautner, K., Bowers, R., Rozak, M., Bilbool, N., & Murrell, W. D. (2021). Two-year clinical outcomes of autologous microfragmented adipose tissue in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis: A multi-centric, International Study. International Orthopaedics, 45(5), 1179–1188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-021-04947-0
Hudetz, D., Borić, I., Rod, E., Jeleč, Ž., Radić, A., Vrdoljak, T., Skelin, A., Lauc, G., Trbojević-Akmačić, I., Plečko, M., Polašek, O., & Primorac, D. (2017). The effect of intra-articular injection of autologous microfragmented fat tissue on proteoglycan synthesis in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Genes, 8(10), 270–287.
Bąkowski, P., Kaszyński, J., Baka, C., Kaczmarek, T., Ciemniewska-Gorzela, K., Bąkowska-Żywicka, K., & Piontek, T. (2021). Patients with stage II of the knee osteoarthritis most likely benefit from the intra-articular injections of autologous adipose tissue—from 2 years of follow-up studies. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, 143(1), 55–62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-021-03979-w
Sciarretta, F. V., Ascani, C., Sodano, L., Fossati, C., & Campisi, S. (2023). One-stage cartilage repair using the autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis combined with simultaneous use of autologous adipose tissue graft and adipose tissue mesenchymal cells technique: Clinical results and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation at five-year follow-up. International Orthopaedics, 48(1), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-023-05921-8