Cryolipolysis is a noninvasive technique of localized fat reduction. Controlled cold exposure is performed in the selective destruction of fat cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cryolipolysis on adipocytes elimination through histological and sonographic analyses. This study reports the case of a 46-year-old female patient, with complaint of localized abdominal fat and in the preoperative period of abdominoplasty. The patient was submitted to a single 60-minute application of cryolipolysis, temperature of −5°C, on the hypogastrium area, 5 cm below the umbilicus. To study the effects of this treatment, ultrasound images taken before the session and 7, 15, 30, and 45 days after the therapy were analysed. After the abdominoplasty, parts of the treated and the untreated withdrawn abdominal tissues were evaluated macro- and microscopically. In ultrasound images, as well as in macroscopic and histological analyses, significant adipocytes destruction was detected, with consequent fat layer reduction and integrity of areas that were adjacent to the treated tissue. The presence of fibrosis observed during therapy and acknowledged through performed analyses encourages further studies to clarify such finding.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) induces anti-inflammatory and angiogenic activities in wound healing. However, the mechanism of action and optimal parameters require further clarification. In this study, we investigated the effects of LLLT on wound healing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 immunoexpression and angiogenic processes. Twenty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5) according to the treatments as follows. CG7 and CG14 were control groups at days 7 and 14, respectively, which received physiological saline (0.9 % NaCl daily). LG7 and LG14 were laser therapy groups at days 7 and 14, respectively, which received two (LG7) or four (LG14) LLLT applications (40 mW; 660 nm; 4 J/cm). A dorsal skin sample in the wound area (measuring 2 cm) was removed after the experimental period, and then the animals were euthanized. The specimens were processed for qualitative and quantitative histological analyses and measurement of MMP-2 expression in the dermis and epidermis. A persistent crust and moderate number of inflammatory cells were found in CG7 and CG14 groups. In the LG14 group, wounds demonstrated complete re-epithelization at the remodeling phase. Angiogenesis and MMP-2 expression were higher in LLLT-treated groups, particularly the LG14 group, which correlated according to the Spearman correlation test. LLLT improves wound healing by enhancing neocollagenesis, increasing the amount of new vessels formed in the tissue (neoangiogenesis), and modulating MMP-2 expression. Epidermal overexpression of MMP-2 was correlated to angiogenic processes.

Self-nanoemulsion drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) represent a potential carrier to improve solubility and bioavailability of health care products. In this sense, copaiba oil (CO) loaded on cosurfactant-free SNEDDS formulations (CO-SNEDDS) were obtained by using phase diagram performed on different concentrations of constituents (oil, surfactant and water). The CO-SNEDDS are composed of 1% (m/m) of oil phase, 20% (m/m) of Tween 80, and 79% (m/m) of doubledistilled water. Specifically, varying the oil phase to 1% of CO affords the so-called SNECO system, and 1% of CO blended on a 1:1 ratio with coconut oil or sunflower oil affords, respectively, the SNECO-COO and SNECO-SO derivative systems. CO sample was authenticated by gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector and the CO-SNEDDS samples were characterized by droplet particle size, zeta potential, polarized light microscopy, pH, conductivity, refractive index, rheological and surface tension analyses. According to the antioxidant tests reducing power and hydroxyl inhibiting formation, the findings displayed 47.89 and 72.92% for SNECO, 46.48 and 84.11% for SNECO-COO, and 52.46 and 74.48% for SNECO-SO, respectively. From now on CO-SNEDDS based systems become available as promising targets for novel medicinal investigations and also could be undertaken for the oral administration of poorly water soluble drugs.

Background. Cellulite is a type of lipodystrophy that develops primarily from an alteration in blood circulation or of the lymphatic system that causes structural changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue, collagen, and adjacent proteoglycans. The radiofrequency devices used for cutaneous applications have shown different physiological treatment effects, but there is controversy about the suitable parameters for this type of treatment. Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-temperature radiofrequency to confirm the thinning of the collagen tissue and interlobular septa and consequent improvement of cellulite. Methods. A sample of eight women was used to collect ultrasonographic data with a 12 MHz probe that measured collagen fiber thickness. The Vip Electromedicina (Argentina) device, frequency of 0.55 MHz and active electrode 3.5 cm in diameter (area = 9.61 cm2), was applied to a 10 cm2 region of the gluteal region for 2 minutes per area of active electrode, during 10 biweekly sessions. Results. The Wilcoxon matched paired test was applied using GraphPad InStat 3.01 for Win95-NT software. Pre- and posttreatment mean collagen fiber thickness showed a 24.66% reduction from 1.01 to 0.67 mm. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon matched paired test obtained a significant two-tailed P value of 0.0391. Conclusion. It was concluded that the use of more comfortable temperatures favored a reduction in fibrous septum thickness and consequent cellulite improvement, evidenced by the lower degree of severity and decrease in interlobular septal thickness.

A obesidade abdominal ou obesidade androide, reconhecida como fator de risco para doenças, constitui-se, também, em um problema estético que consiste na impossibilidade de eliminar a gordura localizada no abdômen. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os possíveis efeitos da fonoforese com gel lipolítico para tratamento da adiposidade localizada. Este estudo caracterizou-se como uma pesquisa quase-experimental. A amostra foi composta por 30 voluntárias do sexo feminino, portadoras de adiposidade abdominal, que não estavam fazendo uso de medicamento para emagrecer ou alguma outra terapêutica, não realizavam nenhum tipo de atividade física, não estavam grávidas, não eram portadoras de neoplasias, não apresentavam doença infecciosa aguda. Foram excluídas voluntárias que apresentavam alergia a algum princípio ativo, falta de assiduidade, presença de doenças infecciosas agudas e/ou febre durante o tratamento. Como instrumentos de avaliação foram utilizados o Protocolo de Avaliação Fisioterapêutica em Adiposidade Localizada-PAFAL, avaliação antropométrica por meio da plicometria, perimetria e ultrassonografia. Foram realizadas 10 sessões de ultrassom terapêutico (fonoforese) com frequência de 3 MHz, intensidade de 1,2 W/cm 2 , no modo contínuo associado a um gel de ativos lipolíticos, com duração de 12 minutos. A área tratada foi a região infraumbilical de 168 cm 2 , com utilização de um cabeçote com 4 ERA's (Área de Radiação Efetiva), em que cada uma equivale a 3,5 cm 2. A análise estatística foi feita pelo software Microsoft Excel utilizando o teste T pareado, adotando-se um valor de significância de 95 % (p < 0,05). O peso das voluntárias praticamente se manteve; na perimetria e plicometria diminuíram de forma não significativa; e na ultrassonografia houve um aumento, sendo este significativo. Este estudo demonstrou que a utilização da fosfotidilcolina utilizando a fonoforese por meio de ultrassom não reduziu a adiposidade localizada.