Effectiveness of Dimethylsulfoxide on the Survival and Volume Preservation of Autologous Fat Graft Tissue: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND The survival of autologous fat graft tissue is dependent on various factors, such as vascularization and inflammation. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on fat graft volume and survival. METHODS Eighteen male Wistar albino rats were divided randomly into three groups. An autologous fat graft obtained from the inguinal region of each rat was transferred to its back. DMSO was administered intraperitoneally (IP) in the DMSO-IP group and cutaneously (C) in the DMSO-C group once daily for 15 days after the surgical procedure. The control group underwent surgery but was not administered with DMSO. Two months after surgery, the grafted fatty tissues were harvested for histopathological and biochemical analyses. RESULTS The results showed that 2 months postoperatively, fat grafts of the DMSO-C and DMSO-IP groups weighed significantly more than the grafts of the control group. Moreover, the vascularity of the grafts was higher in the DMSO-C group than in the control group, and no significant difference was found between the two DMSO groups. The mean lipid peroxidation levels were the same in the three groups, but myeloperoxidation was significantly lower in the DMSO-C group than in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS The study results showed that cutaneous rather than intraperitoneal DMSO administration could preserve the quality and volume of transplanted fat tissue in rats by enhancing vascularity and decreasing inflammation.