Stem cell therapy to use body fat for better looks

The Apollo hospitals and the US-based Cytori Therapeutics have joined hands to launch regenerative cell therapy systems in India where the adipose (fat) tissue will be used to help in cosmetic, reconstruction of diabetic foot, burned body parts or any major life-saving surgeries.

Cutting short

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Dr John Fraser, Principal Scientist at Cytori, said: “The simple method of extracting fat and harvesting the maximum number of stem cells helps to cut short the process of any surgery, whether it is cosmetic, reconstruction or cardiac.”

He added that there was 800 per cent improvement in chronic Angina cases where the stem cells extracted from adipose tissue were injected, in studies made in Europe. “We will extend the study to US also,” Dr Fraser added.

In Delhi and H’yderabad

Dr Pratap C Reddy Chairman, Apollo Hospitals  said initially the facility will be made available in Hyderabad and the national capital. The Personalised Therapy facilities of the hospital will be introduced in six more centres in the country in the days to come.
“We will also seek permission from the ICMR for using adipose tissue for regeneration, in similar lines of using bone marrow.

The therapy could cost around Rs 1 lakh irrespective of the type of surgery.  
The Apollo Hospitals hope that the cost might come down once the numbers increase.

Indigenous production

Cytori also hopes to Indianise the production of all the disposable to make the machinery more affordable to medical institutions.