Total ice content and lipid saturation determine adipose tissue cryolipolysis by injection of ice-slurry

Cryolipolysis: The future of cryolipolysis

BACKGROUND

Cryolipolysis has revolutionized the field of cosmetic dermatology as a nonsurgical procedure, utilizing controlled cooling to selectively destroy fat cells.

AIMS AND METHODS

This review article will focus on the future prospects of cryolipolysis, considering advancements in current technology as well as innovations that hold promise for the future. We will explore emerging trends in cryolipolysis, considering novel applicator designs, combination therapies, an innovative injectable treatment approach, and the evolving role of this technology in the field of cosmetic dermatology.

CONCLUSION

The future holds promise for advances in cryolipolysis using both the noninvasive topical cooling approach and the novel injectable ice-slurry technology.

Selective reduction of visceral adipose tissue with injectable ice slurry

Reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass reduces body weight and metabolic disease risk in obese patients. However surgical removal of VAT is highly invasive and thus not clinically feasible. We developed an injectable ice slurry for selective reduction of adipose tissue through cryolipolysis. The aim of this study was to investigate safety, feasibility and mechanism of ice slurry-induced cryolipolysis of VAT. Perigonadal VAT in diet-induced obese mice and rats was subjected to slurry or sham treatment. Body weight and blood chemistry were monitored for 56 days post-treatment. Histological analysis and molecular studies were performed to elucidate mechanisms of fat reduction. Treatment of VAT was well tolerated in all animals. Slurry induced adipocyte cell death via selective cryolipolysis; significant weight loss was noted at day 21 post-treatment. RNA sequencing from treated VAT samples showed increased expression of genes involved in inflammation, immune response, collagen biosynthesis and wound healing, and decreased expression of adipokines. This study demonstrates that slurry treatment is safe and effective in inducing cryolipolysis of VAT and subsequent weight loss in mice. Ice slurry is promising as a minimally-invasive treatment to reduce visceral adipose tissue.

Fast-acting and injectable cryoneurolysis device

Cryoneurolysis is an opioid-sparing therapy for long-lasting and reversible reduction of pain. We developed a nerve-selective method for cryoneurolysis by local injection of ice-slurry (- 5 to - 6 °C) that induced decrease in nocifensive response starting from about a week after treatment and lasting up to 8 weeks. In this study, we test the hypothesis that injection of colder slurry leads to faster onset of analgesia. Colder slurry (- 9ºC) was injected around the rat sciatic nerve to induce cryoneurolysis. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining was used to examine histologic effects on surrounding tissues. Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy was used to study effects on myelin sheaths. Functional tests were used to assess changes in sensory and motor function in the treated hind paw. No inflammation or scarring was detected in surrounding skin and muscle tissues at day 7 post slurry injection. Functional tests showed rapid onset reduction in mechanical pain sensitivity starting from day 1 and lasting up to day 98. CARS imaging demonstrated disintegration of myelin sheaths post treatment followed by complete recovery of nerve structure by day 140. In this study we showed that colder slurry (- 9 °C) produces more rapid onset and longer duration of analgesia, while remaining nerve-selective.