The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) refers to a mixture of specialized cells that can be separated from adipose tissue after collection by liposuction to be stored and used separately. In order to get an optimal quality SVF product, we request that a minimum of 100mls of fat be provided. The fat is then transported to our labs and processed by our specialists into SVF within 24 hours of liposuction. Once isolated, the SVF product is mixed with a specialized cryoprotectant and stored in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen, at -180oC where it can be kept for many decades. In addition to the flexibility of use that comes with long term storage, we also provide a detailed cell count for each sample produced. This ensures that doctors and patients have the peace of mind to know that they are receiving a cellular product that is of the highest quality possible.
Adipose derived SVF contains a number of cell types including mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells3, both of which have been shown to be powerful tools in both aesthetic and therapeutic medicine. In the therapeutic arena, the use of SVF has been shown to have potential to treat a variety of illnesses, including a range of autoimmune6 and orthopedic5 diseases and disorders. In aesthetics, SVF has also shown a number of promising uses, including boosting the retention of fat grafts4 and promoting skin and tissue rejuvenation1. The uses for SVF will continue to grow as further clinical trials are completed, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this novel technology.
In addition to SVF, Netcells will be providing the storage of whole fat. Whole fat is the extracted adipose tissue in its natural form, which has been used in autologous (self) transplantation for aesthetic treatments for a number of decades2. Netcells Adipose can now offer the patient the ability to store this whole fat tissue for a number of years. After liposuction, fat samples can be sent to the Netcells laboratory for cleaning, followed by long term storage in liquid nitrogen. The storage of whole fat gives patients and doctors the flexibility, to schedule procedures as they are needed, without the need for follow up-liposuctions.
Netcells is excited to be the first in South Africa offering Adipose Tissue Banking to health care practitioners in the Gauteng province, and soon country wide. We hope that it will provide patients all over the country with a new avenue for stem cell treatment and self-improvement options, as individuals who didn’t have the opportunity to bank their cord blood stem cells, now have the opportunity to bank their adipose derived stem cells and take advantage of the therapy options it provides.
