Mesotherapy and Phosphatidylcholine Injections: Historical Clarification and Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND Mesotherapy was originally conceived in Europe as a method of utilizing cutaneous injections containing a mixture of compounds for the treatment of local medical and cosmetic conditions. Although mesotherapy was traditionally employed for pain relief, its cosmetic applications, particularly fat and cellulite removal, have recently received attention in the United States. Another treatment for localized fat reduction, which was popularized in Brazil and uses injections of phosphatidylcholine, has been erroneously considered synonymous with mesotherapy. Despite their attraction as purported ''fat-dissolving'' injections, the safety and efficacy of these novel cosmetic treatments remain ambiguous to most patients and physicians.

Mesoterapia: uma revisão bibliográfica

“…In 1937, Aron published a study about an intradermal injection of a histamine solution and concluded that intradermal injections of whatever product, when given into a painful location, would have an analgesic effect. 3 However, it was with Pistor that intradermotherapy received more attention, when he founded the French Society of Mesotherapy in 1964 and the technique became known throughout the world.…”

“…[47][48][49] Some studies have been revised regarding the role of mesotherapy in gynoid lipodystrophy 50 and others regarding the role of mesotherapy lipolysis. 3,6,51 These revisions offer the conclusion that, theoretically, a subcutaneous injection of specified products can function, but they lack indexed scientific publications on which to base this technique.…”

“…Even though subcutaneous injections fall under the definition of mesotherapy, as subcutaneous tissue is also derived from the mesoderm, larger doses and a smaller number of puncture points will not yield the same results as claimed by Pistor, the founder of this technique. 3 In 1992, also in an unindexed publication, Aumjaud recommended organic silicon for intradermal use in age wrinkles and skin with rhytids and photoaging. The study used organic silicon associated with other substances, and the author did not mention any scientific study that supported his recommendation, but instead spoke of his own experience.…”

Phosphatidylcholine Causes Lipolysis and Apoptosis in Adipocytes through the Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Dependent Pathway

“…Indeed, a clinically used PPC formulation consists of PPC and SD [6]. A PPC formulation has been used as a safe non-surgical method to melt fat deposits [7]. Previous clinical reports also have demonstrated that subcutaneous injection of a PPC formulation breaks up fat deposits [3, 7, 8].…”

“…A PPC formulation has been used as a safe non-surgical method to melt fat deposits [7]. Previous clinical reports also have demonstrated that subcutaneous injection of a PPC formulation breaks up fat deposits [3, 7, 8]. However, since SD not only causes severe necrosis and inflammation in human lipomas [9], but also induces fat cell decomposition in a nonspecific manner due to its surfactant properties [10], a PPC formulation without SD is highly required.…”