Whereas previous study considers visceral adipose tissue as the major culprit to cardio-metabolic mortalities, surgical fat reduction can handle subcutaneous adipose tissue only .
Conventional fat removal is achieved by surgical approaches such as liposuction or lipectomy, however, which are invasive methods with risks of infection, hemorrhage, scarring . Additionally it has some limitation such as expensiveness, and longer postop care, postop mortalities, even without metabolic improvement .
Cryolipolysis may be considered as one of replaceable applications to surgical fat reduction approaches for noninvasiveness and selective reduction of subcutaneous adipose tissue without injuries of surrounding tissues since US Food and Drug Administration approved it in 2010 .
The most likely mechanism hypothesized when popsicle panniculitis was first described is that crystallization of cytoplasmic lipids in adipocytes occurs at temperatures well above the freezing point of tissue water. In addition, lipid crystals progress to a natural inflammation process, which causes apoptosis .
Since introduction of the potential for tissue-specific cold injury, grossly obvious loss of several millimeters of subcutaneous fat showed at 3.5 months of follow-up in a Black Yucatan pig model. Inflammation and adipose tissue loss proceeded for 2 weeks after a single, local exposure to cold, reaching an apparent maximum at 4 weeks after and resolving about 12 weeks after cold exposure through the experiment. In its early inflammatory phase, panniculitis may further damage adipocytes. In its later phase, however, phagocytosis appears to account for removal of adipocytes and loss of fat tissue.
The detailed biological mechanisms about selective cryolipolysis remain to be investigated. Most importantly, there is not enough information available in the published literature regarding the mechanisms of adipocyte injury in adult humans when subzero temperatures are applied to the surface of skin. In addition, selective cryolipolysis might be challenging by the fact that human fat is rich in unsaturated fatty acids with a much lower freezing point as opposed to pig fat, which is rich in saturated fatty acids with a rather higher melting point. Recently, however, human clinical studies showed effectiveness of cryolipolysis. Additionally safety of cryolipolysis demonstrated in some studies on the content of serum lipid levels, liver function tests and peripheral nerve injury. In addition we compared laboratory findings following cryolipolysis on gluteal fat for 12 weeks’ study in Korean women .
Korea FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved the machine named Cryolipolysis in 2016. Therefore, we tried to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Cryolipolysis to remove the abdominal fat tissues especially visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues on apparently healthy Koreans for 8 weeks.
2.1. Subjects
As an open clinical intervention trial, intuitional review board reviewed the protocol (DGIL-20161130-01-01) which understood by thirteen participants. Potential side effects was been written on the informed consent forms given to all thirteen subjects. Thirteen recruited subjects were 40.8 ± 8.3 years (53.8%; 7 women), 27.8 ± 2.6 kg/m2.
Included were apparently healthy men or women with visible fat on the abdomen with BMI ≥ 22 and those without change over 5% of the former weight within the past 6 months.
Excluded were those who if they had a known history of cryoglobulinemia, cold urticaria, impaired peripheral circulation, Raynauds disease or paroxysmal cold hemogobulinemia. Individuals who had metabolic derangement such as Type 2 DM, dyslipidemia or any medications to regulate weight or fat mass over 6 months were ineligible. In addition, excluded were pregnant or lactating women within 6 months or next 3 months.
Power analysis for a Wilcoxon signed-rank test conducted to determine a sufficient sample size using an alpha of 0.05, a power of 0.80, and one tail . Based on the aforementioned assumptions, the desired sample size is 12.
2.2. Devices
Cryo-shape is a kind of cryolipolysis machine approved by Korea Food Drug Agency in 2016. It consists of main body (control unit; 473 × 756 × 1200 mm), gel pad, two vacuum applicators and its liner to keep dermal area at low temperature (−3˚C to −9˚C), and provides massage after balancing condition between cooling and vacuum status on target area. Controlled cooling applied through the skin to the fat layer using by new cryolipolysis device (Cryo-shape). The applicator head using mild vacuum positions the tissue between two cooling panels within the cup and holds it in place for 60-min exposure of the procedure. Cooling maintained for a predetermined period to damage the fat cells.
2.3. Anthropometric and Body Contour Assessment
We measured the height and weight of thirteen subjects by digital portable standiometer (DS-102, JENIX, Korea), and assessed their waist circumferences at anterior superior iliac spine level with scales. All subjects instructed to keep their ordinary behavioral attitude such as diet and physical activity. In addition, we assessed their body contours including frontal, both lateral and back views by photography with camera (Samsung SM-N920S, Korea) at initial and 8th week visit by the trained nurse.
2.4. Treatment
Precisely controlled cooling applied to the both frontal abdomen areas including love handle with two applicators at the umbilicus level, by same operator on single session treatment. The total treatment time per application site was 60 min at −7˚C.
2.5. Efficacy Assessment and Blood Chemistry
We performed abdominal fat computerized tomography to assess the efficacy of the cryolipolysis procedure after fasting for 8 hours at initial and 8th week. We compared the cross sectional areas of VAT (Visceral Adipose Tissue) and SAT (Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue) in cm2 using by abdominal computerized tomography (Spuria, Hitachi, Japan, 2016) at umbilicus level, and obtained FPG (Fasting plasma glucose), total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol, TG (Triglyceride), and Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT) after fasting for 8 hours at initial and 8th week.
2.6. Statistics
The sample size was small for parametric analysis, and a Wilcox signed rank test performed for statistics using by SPSS program (version 18), and the probability less than 0.05 was considered as significant at two side level.
2.7. Monitoring for Safety
The low temperatures may have deleterious effects on the vascular cells in the adipose tissue, which may cause complications during adipose tissue recovery. We monitored if subjects complained adverse event such as cold burn, pain, and any dermatologic problem including paroxysmal adipocyte hyperplasia following Cryo-shape treatment.
We excluded one subject (case 7) who gained her weight (68 to 72 kg; 5.9% gain) over 5% for 2 months. We assessed twelve subjects (41.7 ± 8.0 years, 27.9 ± 2.7 kg/m2, 6 women; 50%) as completers.
3.1. Cross Sectional Areas of Subcutaneous, Visceral Adipose Tissues, and Weight, BMI
The demographic variables, waist circumferences and the cross sectional areas of adipose tissue described at baseline and 8th week. Their waist circumferences significantly decreased by 4.1 ± 6.3 cm (P = 0.023), however both of weight and BMI increased by 0.1 ± 1.2 kg (P = 0.777), 1.9 ± 0.6 kg/m2 (P = 0.528).
While the cross sectional areas of SAT decreased by 4.8 ± 24.9 cm2 (P = 0.182), was the significant decrease noted in that of VAT by 16.2 ± 20.1 cm2 (P = 0.023). Their changes of cross sectional areas of fat tissue (SAT, VAT) of illustrated case can be seen.
3.2. Appraisal for Body Contour
We took pictures twelve subjects with frontal, both lateral, and back view to compare body surface contour after single treatment. We found visual improvement for body contour in several cases .
3.3. Biochemical Parameters and Adverse Events
The changes in FPG, total cholesterol, TG, HDL-cholesterol were −5.5 mg/dL
| Variables | Baseline | 8 weekafter treatment | P |
| Mean (Standard Deviation) | |||
| Age (years) | 41.7 (8.0) | ||
| Sex (N = 12) | Male | Female | |
| N = 6 | N = 6 | ||
| Weight (kg) | 77.3 (15.4) | 77.4 (15.2) | 0.777 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 27.9 (2.7) | 28.1 (2.8) | 0.528 |
| Cross Sectional Areas of VAT (cm2) | 141.3 (46.4) | 125.1 (42.8) | 0.023 |
| Cross Sectional Areas of SAT (cm2) | 243.3 (24.7) | 238.5 (40.7) | 0.182 |
| Waist Circumference (cm) | 97.4 (7.2) | 93.3 (7.3) | 0.023 |
| Fasting Plasma Glucose (mg/dL) | 106.2 (25.4) | 100.7 (8.3) | 0.326 |
| Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 210.3 (38.1) | 188.9 (28.2) | 0.060 |
| Triglyceride (mg/dL) | 160.6 (93.0) | 106.7 (59.6) | 0.034 |
| HDL-Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 59.4 (18.5) | 57.7 (17.9) | 0.142 |
| AST (Aspartate Transaminase)(IU/μL) | 31.0 (11.0) | 29.6 (12.5) | 0.755 |
| ALT (Alanine Transaminase)(IU/μL) | 35.7 (20.7) | 38.8 (36.8) | 0.969 |
Table 1. Comparison of demographic, anthropometric and biochemical parameters.
Figure 1. Cross-sectional areas in adipose tissues by CT.
(P = 0.326), −21.4 mg/dL (P = 0.06), −53.9 mg/dL (P = 0.03), −1.7 mg/dL (P = 0.142), respectively. In addition, observed changes of AST and ALT were by −1.4 IU/μL, 3.1 IU/μL respectively without statistical significance.
Several subjects reported transient pain, numbness, erythema and bruising at the treatment area in a week. All of the side effects were mild and resolved without any intervention within 4 or 6 weeks.
Previous studies considered cryolipolysis as a useful method to reduce subcutaneous fat in unwanted area such as flank, abdomen. We found that mean reduction
Figure 2. Visual assessment by photography for body contours (Frontal & Left Lateral View).
of 4.8 cm2 in the abdominal subcutaneous fat by measured cross sectional areas of subcutaneous adipose tissue through computerized tomography at umbilicus level.
As already known in other studies, inflammation and adipose tissue loss processes were reaching an apparent maximum around 4 weeks after cold exposure, resolving about 12 weeks after. In the later phase, phagocytosis appeared to be accounted for the removal of adipocytes and loss of fat tissue . We assessed at 8 weeks, while others reassessed at 3 or 6 months. Better result might-be shown for fat reduction with longer follow-up, for example 3 or 6 months.
Until now, previous researchers used by devices such as ultrasound device, 2D or 3D photograph imaging and caliper in order to demonstrate reduction in fat thickness. CT scans are accurate and have the advantage of measuring certain body fat compartments, such as subcutaneous fat. Therefore we confirmed that subcutaneous adiposetissues decreased after the procedure.
At the same time, it is first demonstrated study to identify changes in visceral fat through CT scans. Although several studies shown for fat reduction, no human study has demonstrated the decrease of visceral adipose tissue following a single session cryolipolysis. There is the question of why does the visceral fat decrease, although the depth of treatment was not enough to visceral fat area.
In this study, we found that waist circumference and adipose tissue clinically decreased, but we could not investigate the histological change of actual adipose tissue as showed in other study. Therefore, experimental study with histological approaches would be challenging to confirm the performance of cryolipolysis in the future.
Previous Korean study found no significant changes in lipid level or liver function test over the 8-week or 12-week follow-up period . Liver function levels were mildly changed after the treatment, which remained within normal limits and were similar to those of previous studies . No significant changes in liver function and lipid level suggested that fat released through Cryo-shape, was cleared by the natural metabolic pathways and it was a safe technique comparable to other cryolipolysis devices.
Some subjects experienced transient pain, numbness, erythema and bruising at the treatment area. All side effects, including numbness, were temporary and resolved without any intervention. Thus, there is no permanent damage to nerve function similar to the study by Coleman et al.
We instructed thirteen subjects to keep their ordinary life style for treatment period. Because we did not monitor the energy intake and expenditure, and adjust age and sex without control, as well as exclusion of one weight gainer over 5% of initial weight, the present study may have the biased conclusion . In addition, it is not enough to demonstrate the effectiveness of fat reduction through cryolipolysis using by twelve recruited subjects. Although the above described limitations, the cross sectional areas of visceral adipose tissue and waist circumferences of completers group significantly decreased despite gaining of weight (0.1 ± 1.2 kg) following single session treatment.
We could not find any clear biological plausible mechanism why the cross sectional areas of visceral adipose tissue decreased. However, we suggest that cooling method might induce apoptosis in visceral fat beyond peritoneum depending upon the depth of thermal probe according to recent experimental study. Visceral fat associated hormone such as vaspin, adipokine with
| Minimum | Maximum | Mean | S.D | |
| Height (cm) | 149 | 180 | 165.33 | 11.26 |
| Initial Weight (kg) | 57 | 103 | 77.26 | 15.49 |
| Final Weight (kg) | 56 | 104 | 77.38 | 15.24 |
| Initial BMI (kg/m2) | 22.27 | 31.79 | 27.99 | 2.65 |
| Final BMI (kg/m2) | 21.87 | 32.10 | 28.10 | 2.81 |
| Initial WC (cm) | 86 | 106.5 | 97.38 | 7.20 |
| Final WC (cm) | 83 | 106 | 93.25 | 7.30 |
Table 2. Descriptive data of Weight, WC, VAT, SAT parameters.
Figure 3. Comparison of Weight, WC, VAT, SAT parameters for 8 weeks.
cryolipolysis would be included in the future. Larger and controlled study would be demanding, in order to recover its limitation and stronger statistical strength in the future.
Cryolipolysis is still relatively new technology that requires further research. A subsequent treatment leads to further reduction in fat thickness. Not only the first treatment but also the second treatment showed a statistically was statistically significant decrease in the abdomen. However, additional studies are needed for the interval and frequency of repetitive procedures. Alternative cooling and heating as a more effective new protocolis appropriate for the precise and effective destruction. Based on these results, it is necessary to develop a more effective treatment method suitable for each individual. Although pathophysiology of cryolipolysis remains to be studied and more effective treatment protocol should be developed, non-invasive cryolipolysis is still an attractive technology. Cryolipolysis is a safe and effective procedure for adipose tissue reduction with minor adverse effects.
Cryolipolysis showed to reduce abdominal visceral adipose tissue on abdomen in apparently healthy Koreans for 8 weeks. In conclusion, cryolipolysis on apparently healthy Korean is a safe and effective method to reduce abdominal fat in Korean.