Lipolytic effects of nano particle sized polyenylphosphatidylcholine on adipose tissue: First promising in vitro and in vivo results.

Background: Lipolytic injectables for body contouring procedures have been reported for necrotic effects on adipose tissue causing side effects as swelling, pain and hematoma. Deoxycholic acid is widely used as a solvent in lipolytic injectables and is associated with necrosis when applied to cells. A new lipolytic preparation (NWL-10) containing only polyenylphosphatidylcholine in nano particle size, glycerrhizinate and maltose has been reported for its lipolytic action on adipose tissue. However, no data exist whether the NWL-10 mixture is responsible for apoptosis or necrosis in adipose tissue which can be associated with severer side effects as reported for deoxycholic acid preparation.

Methods: 3T3-L1 mouse cells and human adipose tissue derived stem cells were exposed to the NWL-10 mixture and to each ingredient of the mix in order to investigate cytotoxic, lipolytic, necrotic or apoptotic effects. Furthermore, a Balb/C mouse animal model was used to investigate inflammatory responses to NWL-10 by bioluminescence monitoring and histological examination.

Results: A high extent of lipolysis was detected for the NWL-10 mixture when applied to both cell types with no cytotoxic effect. Interestingly, low concentration of NWL-10 resulted in necrosis whereas high concentration of NWL-10 showed a certain amount of apoptosis. Application of single ingredients of NWL-10 or various combinations of two component mixtures did not result in any apoptosis or necrosis. In addition, no inflammatory effects of NWL-10 were observed in the mouse model.

Conclusions: The NWL-10 mixture provided promising results regarding lipolysis on adipose tissue with limited apoptosis and necrosis when compared to currently available injectables. These first promising results require further fundamental and more detailed research on essentials for drug approval. NWL-10 has the potential to become a second generation product for future lipolytic injectables.