title: Effects of non-invasive, 1,210 nm laser exposure on adipose tissue: results of a human pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laser radiation (1,210 nm) has been previously shown to be capable of selective photothermolysis of adipose tissue in vitro when applied non-invasively. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of this laser in human subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four adult subjects were exposed non-invasively on the abdomen to a 1,210 nm laser at fluences of 70, 80, and 90 J/cm(2), with a 10 mm spot size, 5 seconds pre-cooling, and 3 seconds exposure duration delivered with parallel contact cooling. There was an impairment of the skin-cooling device during the study. Exposure and control sites were biopsied at either 1-3 days or 4-7 weeks. Tissue was processed for nitroblue tetrazolium chloride (NBTC) staining, a marker for thermal damage, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laser exposures were painful, requiring local anesthesia in most subjects, but otherwise well tolerated. At 1-3 days after exposure, there was a fluence-dependent loss of NBTC staining in the fat and dermis. In 2 of 14 subjects (2 of 42 exposure sites) evaluated at 1-3 days after exposure, epidermal damage was noted within a small portion of the test site, likely due to impaired contact cooling. At 4-7 weeks, lipomembranous changes of the fat were seen in 89% of test sites and 33% of control sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This in vivo study shows histologic evidence of laser-induced damage of fat. With further development, this might become a useful treatment for disorders involving the fat and/or lower dermis.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. mwanner@partners.org
authors: Molly
authors: M
authors: Wanner
authors: Mathew
authors: M
authors: Avram
authors: Denise
authors: D
authors: Gagnon
authors: Martin C
authors: MC
authors: Mihm
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Zurakowski
authors: Kanna
authors: K
authors: Watanabe
authors: Zeina
authors: Z
authors: Tannous
authors: R Rox
authors: RR
authors: Anderson
authors: Dieter
authors: D
authors: Manstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020405:Dermis / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D050507:Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055815:Young Adult