Lipoaspirate stored at a constant low temperature by electric control suppresses intracellular metabolism and maintains high cell viability.

BACKGROUND: Cell therapy is a useful treatment method for wide spectrum of diseases which utilizes the immunosuppressive and regenerative abilities of administered cells. It is essential to build a transport system of tissues from which cells are harvested, because various external factors, such as temperature, time, air pressure, and vibration affect the cell functions isolated from body tissues. In particular, temperature is a critical factor which determines the viability of the cells and organs. In this study, we investigated the optimal temperature during the transportation of lipoaspirates from which adipose -derived stem cells (ASCs) were isolated.

METHOD: Lipoaspirates obtained by liposuctions (lipomatic or vaser method) were transported in four different temperature zones (4, 20, 32, and 37 °C) in a transport container which is electrically controlled to maintain a constant temperature during transport. Stromal vascular fractions (SVFs) were harvested from the lipoaspirate, and the cell number, viability and proliferation rate and the yield of ASCs were examined. In addition, the metabolic state of the cells was examined.

RESULTS: ASCs from lipoaspirates transported at high temperature significantly decreased cell viability, while those at low temperature maintained high cell viability and showed good cell proliferation. In addition, transportation of lipoaspirates at low temperature resulted in a high level of NAD+/NADH, coenzymes involved in intracellular metabolism, and a low level of lactate in lipoaspirate suppressed the glycolytic system of intracellular metabolism, in ASCs.

CONCLUSION: The lipoaspirate transported at 4 °C exhibited best results regarding live cell number, viability and cell proliferation in our experiments. This study offers a direction to build a transport system that connects laboratories and hospitals and achieve a beneficial therapy for patients.