1. Induction of fat apoptosis by a combination of synchronized radiofrequency and HIFEM technology: Human histology study.
- Author
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Goldberg, David J.
- Subjects
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RADIO frequency therapy , *ADIPOSE tissues , *RADIO frequency , *FAT , *APOPTOSIS , *IMMUNOSTAINING - Abstract
Purpose: With the growing demand for more effective fat reduction techniques, a combination of synchronized radiofrequency (RF) and HIFEM has been introduced. Preceding studies evidenced the ability of RF+HIFEM to maintain the fat tissue temperature at the levels necessary for adipocyte apoptosis while documenting the induced changes to the fat tissue during the several weeks after the treatment. This study aims to demonstrate the induction of apoptosis by RF+HIFEM technology in the early stages through the assessment of caspase‐3 protein, one of the apoptosis‐executing proteases. Design: In this two‐arm, single‐center, randomized trial, nine human subjects were enrolled and assigned into two groups, either the active group (N = 6) treated with both RF+HIFEM set at the highest tolerated levels or the sham group (N = 3) treated with 5% of the maximum RF+HIFEM power, serving as a control. All patients were scheduled to undergo one treatment visit of the abdominal area, two follow‐up visits at 8 and 24 h, and one safety visit 7 days after the treatment. A punch biopsy (5 mm in diameter, approximately 10 mm in depth) was obtained from the abdominal area at the baseline and consecutive follow‐up visits. Samples were fixed, and cut into 5 μm thick slices, and immunohistochemical staining was used to visualize the Caspase‐3, revealing the adipocyte nuclei where apoptosis processes are in progress. Findings: Documented findings suggest that the temperature threshold of 43–45°C is required to initiate fat apoptosis and consequent reduction in adipocyte number was achieved during the combined treatment with RF+HIFEM. The active group showed an elevated ratio of positively stained nuclei versus all adipocyte nuclei found on the evaluated slices—referred to as the apoptotic index (AI). The AI significantly (p < 0.001) increased at both 8 h (47.01 ± 10.56%) and 24 h (43.58 ± 6.35%) posttreatment. The Sham group showed no significant change in the AI (p > 0.05). No adverse events or side effects related to the treatments were observed. Summary: This study supports previously published evidence on fat reduction after RF+HIFEM treatment, documenting the safe initiation of adipocyte programmed cell death posttreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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