New device for preparing thin slices of adipose tissue for metabolic studies in vitro

A new microtome is described which allows the rapid preparation of equal slices of well-defined thickness of fresh human tissue, especially adipose tissue. Presetting the microtome for a section thickness of 500 micro m, we found a variation of about 5% with human adipose tissue. Slices of human adipose tissue sliced by the microtome showed a higher sensitivity to insulin and a better reproducibility of results than slices prepared freehand.