Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 10, 2026
Adipo-Clear: A Tissue Clearing Method for Three-Dimensional Imaging of Adipose Tissue
Published on: July 28, 2018
Use of Photodynamic Therapy and Sterile Water to Target Adipose Tissue
Molly Wanner1, Martin C Mihm, William A Farinelli
1*Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; †Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; ‡Department of Dermatology, Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; §Departments of Anesthesia and Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; ‖Department of Dermatology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California.
Background:
Neither photodynamic therapy (PDT) nor sterile water has not been well studied for the treatment of adipose tissue.
Objective:
This investigation studied 2 different modalities, verteporfin PDT and sterile water, on adipose tissue compared with control.
Materials And Methods:
Four light-skinned pigs were used. Test sites received verteporfin PDT or sterile water injection. Control sites received injection of verteporfin without PDT, normal saline injection, no intervention, exposure to laser only, or insertion of a needle or cannula only. Sites were evaluated clinically, by ultrasound, and with histology 4 to 6 weeks after treatment.
Results:
There was a decrease in adipose tissue by ultrasound after verteporfin PDT (15%, p < .001) and sterile water (2%, p = .23). Verteporfin without PDT showed a decrease in adipose tissue (17%, p = .21). All other control sites showed an increase in adipose tissue. Histologically, verteporfin PDT and sterile water showed moderate damage (median Grade 2, p < .001) 4 to 6 weeks after intervention.
Conclusion:
Verteporfin decreased adipose tissue after treatment. Sterile water injection had a statistically significant effect on adipose tissue histologically but did not substantially decrease the adipose tissue by ultrasound 4 to 6 weeks after intervention. Longer follow-up may be needed.
Insights
Verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) effectively reduced adipose tissue. Sterile water showed histological changes but minimal ultrasound-measured fat reduction, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Medical Aesthetics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Adipose tissue treatments lack extensive study for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sterile water.
- Limited research exists on the efficacy of verteporfin PDT and sterile water for adipose tissue reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of verteporfin PDT and sterile water injection on adipose tissue.
- To evaluate these modalities against various control interventions.
Main Methods:
- Four pigs underwent treatments including verteporfin PDT, sterile water injection, and control interventions (e.g., verteporfin without PDT, saline, no intervention).
- Assessments included clinical evaluation, ultrasound, and histology at 4-6 weeks post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Verteporfin PDT led to a significant 15% adipose tissue decrease (ultrasound, p < .001).
- Sterile water showed a minor 2% decrease (ultrasound, p = .23) but moderate histological damage (Grade 2, p < .001).
- Verteporfin without PDT also showed a 17% decrease (p = .21), while controls increased adipose tissue.
Conclusions:
- Verteporfin, particularly with PDT, demonstrates efficacy in reducing adipose tissue.
- Sterile water has histological effects but limited ultrasound-confirmed fat reduction, suggesting a need for longer follow-up.
- Further research is recommended to optimize sterile water protocols for adipose tissue treatment.
