Laser induced lipolysis on adipose cells E. Solarte' , 0. Gutiérrez' , R. Neira2, J.Anoyave3, C. Isaza', H. RamIrez4, A. Rebolledo' , W. Criollo1 , C. Ortiz2 1Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia, 2Centro Medico Imbanaco, Cali, Colombia, 3Centro internacional de Agricultura Tropical, Palmira, Colombia 4Universidad Libre, Cali, Colombia Mail to: esolarte@calima.univalle.edu.co ABSTRACT Recently, a new liposuction technique, using a low-level laser (LLL) device and Ultrawet solution prior to the procedure, demonstrated the movement of fat from the inside to the outside of the adipocyte (Neira et aL, 2002). To determine the mechanisms involved, we have performed Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy studies; Light transmittance measurements on adipocyte dilutions; and a study of laser light propagation in adipose tissue. This studies show: 1 . Cellular membrane alterations. 2. LLL is capable to reach the deep adipose tissue layer, and 3. The tumescence solution enhances the light propagation by clearing the tissue. MRI studies demonstrated the appearance of fat on laser treated abdominal tissue. Besides, adipocytes were cultivated and irradiated to observe the effects on isolated cells. These last studies show: 1 . 635nm-laser alone is capable of mobilizing cholesterol from the cell membrane; this action is enhanced by the presence of adrenaline and lidocaine. 2. Intracellular fat is released from adipocytes by co joint action of adrenaline, aminophyline and 635nm-laser. Results are consistent with a laser induced cellular process, which causes fat release from the adipocytes into the intercellular space, besides the modification of the cellular membranes. Keywords: Laser cellular effects, Adipocytes, Lipolysis, Semiconductor Laser. 1. INTRODUCTION In 2000 Neira et al.' 2 presented a new liposuction technique that demonstrated the movement of fat from inside to outside of the cell, using a low-level laser (LLL) device during a liposuction procedure with Ultrawet solution. It was observed that there were easier and greater volumes of fat extraction when using LLL lipoplasty plus the tumescent solution than used alone without irradiation. Besides Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy, light transmittance measurements of adipocytes, as well as a study of laser light propagation in adipose tissue , were performed to determine the propagation length. MRI studies were done 6 to demonstrate the appearance of fat on laser treated abdominal tissue. Finally, adipocytes were cultivated and irradiated to observe the laser light effects on isolate adipose cells. All these studies were consistent with a laser induced cellular process, which causes fat release from inside the adipocytes into the intercellular space, besides a strong modification of the cellular membranes. In order to determine the mechanisms involved in the fat mobilization during the clinical observation, cultivated adipocytes were tested under the same conditions used during the surgical procedure. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fat tissue taken from healthy patients undergoing body remodeling by Lipoplasty was used. The samples were immediately processed according to the technique described elsewhere 1, 8 No tumescent solution had been used. Samples taken from the same patient were divided in two groups: The first one (I) was irradiated with the LLL and the second one (II) was preserved to sham irradiation (no laser, control sample). The adipocytes for culture were taken from the control sample since they were going themselves submitted to LLL irradiation with addition of the component drugs 5th Iberoamerican Meeting on Optics and 8th Latin American Meeting on Optics, Lasers, and Their Applications, edited by A. Marcano O., J. L.Paz, Proc. of SPIE Vol. 5622 (SPIE, Bellingham, WA, 2004) · 0277-786X/04/$15 · doi: 10.1117/12.589307 5