ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the possibility to enhance the proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in a delayed fat flap in rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A delayed fat flap was formed in one side of inguinal region of a rabbit. 21 days after operation, the fat tissues at the delayed flaps and at the unoperated side were harvested and digested with 0.25% collagenase and sieved. The cell suspensions were centrifuged. The cells were obtained from tissue precipitate after centrifugation. The expression rates of the surface marker (CD29, CD44, CD14 and CD45) were measured by FCM and compared between the experimental and control groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Expression rates of CD29 and CD44 were higher in the delayed fat flap (74.06% and 90.74%) than in the contralateral fat tissue (62.88% and 77.54%, P < 0.05), while those of CD14 and CD45 were lower in the delayed fat flap (57.66% and 4.84%) than in the contralateral fat tissue (72.10% and 75.82%, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tissue hypoxic ischemia such as fat tissue in a delayed fat flap can promote proliferation of ASCs. It indicates that tissue in the delayed flap may be transplanted with better survival rate. The ischemia pretreatment of fat tissue may become a new method for fat transplantation.</p>