Comparison of Soluble and Liposome Encapsulated, Sustained Release Latanoprost for Focal Adipose Reduction.

Background: To address the lack of non-cytotoxic, non-surgical options to treat undesirable focal adiposity of the face, we propose use of the anti-glaucoma medication and prostaglandin F2α analogue latanoprost, which has a well-described side effect of periorbital adipose shrinkage. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of soluble and liposomal latanoprost for focal fat reduction. Approach: To compare efficacy, single administrations of either the FDA-approved cytolytic drug deoxycholic acid (DOCA), latanoprost, or liposomal latanoprost were injected into ob/ob mouse inguinal fat pads. Study outcomes included mouse weight, inguinal fat pad volume, architecture, and cytotoxicity. Results: Both DOCA and soluble latanoprost significantly reduced inguinal fat pad volume whereas liposome encapsulation reduced inguinal fat pad volume insignificantly over the 14-day study period. Hematoxylin and eosin demonstrated effective reduction in adipocyte volume without histologic evidence of cytolysis or inflammation whereas DOCA caused dermal ulcerations, adipocyte lysis, and increased tissue inflammation. Conclusion: Latanoprost reduced fat volume without inducing cell lysis or inflammation.

In vitro and in vivo experiments of a novel intra-arterial neurovascular decompressor for treating neurovascular compression syndromes: a brief report.

Objectives: Neurovascular compression syndromes (NVCS) could be cured with an intravascular device that releases compression of the root entry zone of cranial nerves by changing the course of offending vessels. The purpose of this study was to report our results of in vitro and in vivo experiments with a novel intra-arterial neurovascular decompressor (IA-NVD) for NVCS. Methods: A nitinol-based IA-NVD was developed to release pressure applied to the root entry zone of cranial nerves by changing the course or angle of an offending vessel, which can possibly cure NVCS. We performed in vitro tests for safety and feasibility and preliminary in vivo tests up to 4 weeks for safety. Results: The bending stiffness of the device was similar to but slightly stronger than that of current, closed-cell intracranial stents. Hemocompatibility tests showed no significant thrombogenesis in whole blood. After the 4-week follow-up, all animals (20-month-old female Gottingen mini-pigs weighing 15-18 kg, n = 4) had a normal upright position and gait. Scanning electron microscopy images and H&E staining of arteries containing the devices showed good neointima formation on the devices. Intima hyperplasia occurred over wires and connecting tubes, but it did not interrupt the patency of the arterial lumen. Discussion: An IA-NVD was created and tested to demonstrate its functionality and biocompatibility in the present experiments. The device may be safely applied to intracranial arteries, providing us a chance to test the efficacy of an upgrade version of the device on changing the course of an artery that compresses a cranial nerve. Abbreviations: CN = cranial nerve; EVT = endovascular treatment; H&E = hematoxylin and eosin; HFS = hemifacial spasm; IA-NVD = intra-arterial neurovascular decompressor; MVD = microvascular decompression; NVCS = neurovascular compression syndrome; REZ = root entry zone; SEM = scanning electron microscopy; TN = trigeminal neuralgia.