The Effect of Locally Delivered Apocynin on Fat Graft Survival in an Experimental Rat Animal Model

We aimed to investigate the efficacy of locally delivered apocynin on fat graft survival in an experimental autologous fat grafting (AFG) model created in rats. Twenty-one Wistar albino male rats were included in this study. The 0.647 g mean weight grafts were harvested from the inguinal region and transferred to the nape of every rat. The subjects were randomly separated into three groups. Saline, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and apocynin, a dose of 20 mg/kg, solutions were applied once a day for 2 weeks. After 3 months, the rats were sacrificed. The evaluation of physical measurements (weight and volume) and survival rates of the grafts for volume and weight, the viable cell count (VC) with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and histopathological parameters were done. All biophysical parameters were found to be significantly higher in the apocynin group compared with other groups (p < 0.05). In the MTT test, the saline group was normalized to 100%. According to this, DMSO and apocynin groups' means were 106 and 163%, respectively. The VC was significantly higher in the apocynin group than the other groups (p < 0.05). The VC was significantly higher in the DMSO group than in the saline group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in other comparisons performed according to biophysical and histopathological parameters (p > 0.05). The locally delivered apocynin decreases fat graft volume loss in an experimental AFG model. Consequently, apocynin can be used as an effective substance to increase graft survival. The level of evidence was not available.