Deferoxamine Mesylate Improves the Survival Rate of Transplanted Fat by Promoting Angiogenesis

Abstract

Abstract Background The volume retention rate after autologous fat transplantation is unpredictable and unstable. Deferoxamine mesylate (DFO) is a drug approved by the FDA that is safe, has antioxidant effects, and can promote angiogenesis. Objectives The aim of this study was to transplant DFO-pretreated fat granules into nude mice to observe the proangiogenic effect of DFO and to evaluate whether this treatment could also improve the retention rate of fat transplantation. Methods A total of 24 nude mice were transplanted with human adipose tissue that had been pretreated with different concentrations of DFO (0.5, 1, and 4 mM). Samples were collected at 1 and 3 months. After sampling, weight/volume retention rate, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction were analyzed. The effects and mechanisms of DFO-pretreated fat grafts were evaluated. Results The in vivo experimental results showed that DFO-pretreated adipose fat significantly improved the postoperative weight/volume retention rate. The results of the immunohistochemical staining indicated that the integrity and activity of the adipocytes in the DFO-pretreated groups were better than in the control group. The polymerase chain reaction results were consistent with the immunohistochemistry results (CD31), suggesting that DFO promoted angiogenesis in the grafts. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that preconditioning fat grafts with DFO can improve the effect of fat transplantation by promoting vascular regeneration.