Stem cells 'could boost breasts'

BBC ^ | 02/09/04

[nypokerface]

Doctors may have found a way to use a combination of a woman's own fat and stem cells to make a natural breast implant, say Japanese researchers.

It is hoped that the method could prove an alternative to artificial implants filled with salt water or silicone.

Previous attempts to increase breast size with fat have failed because some of the tissue dies, forming hard lumps.

Adding stem cells could coax the growth of new blood vessels, say experts from the University of Tokyo.

The patient's fat reserves are often raided by cosmetic surgeons to provide raw material to smooth out facial wrinkles or cover up scars.

However, the sheer quantity of tissue needed to bulk out the breast has been the stumbling block.

However, Dr Kotaro Yoshimura believes he has found a way to create the desired effect with no complications, reports the Nature website.

During the operation, surgeons suck fat cells from the stomach or thigh, and this "slurry" is enriched so that there are higher numbers than usual of stem cells.

Cell source

These are "master" cells which are capable of making new fat cells.

When the enriched stem cell mixture is combined with normal fat tissue, it can then be injected into the breast area.

Using the woman's own tissue has a number of potential advantages - not only do few patients object to losing fat from around the thighs or stomach, but the tissue has no chance of being rejected by the immune system.

Eventually, artificial implants may have to be removed to ensure the patient is safe in the long term.

The Japanese team has carried out the procedure on his first patient last month, and hopes to complete dozens more operations.

Plastic surgeon Adam Katz from the University of Virginia told Nature: "There's a good shot that this will work."

He called for more animal trials before widespread use of the technique in human patients.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Where do stem cells come from?

[ryanjb2]

"Where do stem cells come from?"

Stems?

[EEDUDE]

Dead babies.

[adam_az]

Not necessarily.

[sharktrager]

There are other sources for stem cells.

[fhayek]

Previous attempts to increase breast size with fat have failed because some of the tissue dies, forming hard lumps.

Well, we wouldn't want fat to die for the cause of breast enhancement. /sarcasm

[adam_az]

They are adult fat stem cells from the patient themself.

http://www.nature.com/nsu/040202/040202-19.html

(snip)

Hedrick believes that fat stem cells will one day find a broader use in repairing heart muscle and bone fractures and in other developing stem-cell therapies. But it is not yet clear how to coax such cells into becoming muscle, bone or blood, he says.

In preparation for future therapies, MacroPore Biosurgery are already offering people who have had liposuction the opportunity to bank their fat stem cells. "I think it's crazy to throw them away," Hedrick says.

[longtermmemmory]

behold the POWER OF SCIENNNNNCCCCEEEEE!!!!!!

[COEXERJ145]

Sometimes science does wonders, LMAO!

[rmmcdaniell]

Pics?....for research purposes

[socal_parrot]

For educational purposes only...

[nypokerface]

Pics?....for research purposes

- just check out the Super Bowl.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

What happens if the breasts don't stop growing like the plant in Audrey II.

[Jeff Gordon]

They will never get the support of Christian Fundamentalists until they can use stem cells to increase penis size.

[Ronin]

If they can find away to use fat from donors, I have a few kilos I can spare...

It would be a heartwarming thing if my gift could help a poor girl achieve D cups.

[longtermmemmory]

the wonders and uses of doublesided tape.

[JohnnyZ]

FINALLY, scientists actually doing something useful.

[BenLurkin]

[socal_parrot]

the wonders and uses of doublesided tape

Let's concentrate on one engineering marvel at a time please.