title: Injection of phosphatidylcholine in fat tissue: experimental study of local action in rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Subcutaneous phosphatidylcholine to cause local lipolysis has been performed effectively and safely in the nonsurgical treatment of periorbital fat pads and also in the treatment of localized fat deposits in the abdomen, neck, arms and thighs. However, the studies do not explain the mechanism through which injectable phosphatidylcholine causes localized fat reduction. This study aimed to compare the local action of a phosphatidylcholine formulation with that of a physiologic saline solution in a histologic study investigating the fat tissue of rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a randomized, blind approach, 10 rabbits were injected with an experimental assay of phosphatidylcholine (the biologic model), and another 10 rabbits were injected with physiologic saline. A histologic study was conducted, and the Mann-Whitney test was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A marked difference was observed between the two groups with respect to necrosis, inflammatory exudation, and fibrosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Necrosis of the fat cells in all the phosphatidylcholine-injected animals was observed. Further studies should be performed to clarify and determine the mechanisms of action.
authors.affiliation: Santa Casa School of Medicine, Rua Afonso Braz, 864, cj. 72, Vila Nova Conceição, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. prittes@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Patrícia Guedes
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Rittes
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rittes
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Carriel Amary
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D005218:Fat Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D008066:Lipolysis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines