The effect of centrifugation condition on mature adipocytes and adipose stem cell viability

Different researchers have recommended different lipoaspirate centrifugation speeds and times, probably due to the limits in fat cell viability assays. We assessed fat cell viability using a fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide (FDA-PI) stain and 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay after harvesting syringe liposuction and spun with different centrifugation speeds to determine the optimal conditions. Lipoaspirates, harvested from 13 donors, were transferred into a centrifuge tube and spun at 1000, 3000, and 4000 rpm for 3 minutes. Mature adipocytes and adipose stem cells were isolated and tested with a direct counting of FDA-PI-stained cells under fluorescence microscope and XTT assay. We incubated adipocytes and adipose stem cells for 1 day and 3 days, and we compared both of them with fresh samples to evaluate the influence of culturing condition on fat cell viability. Centrifugation speeds from 1000 rpm to 4000 rpm for 3 minutes showed no change in the percentage of adipocytes and adipose stem cell viability not only in the fresh samples but also in the cultured samples (1 day and 3 days). Centrifugation speeds under 4000 rpm do not change the percentage of fat cell viability. To differentiate viable cells from dying or dead mature adipocytes and oil accurately, combinations of viability tests are essential.