Published online Jan 18, 2025. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v16.i1.99690
Revised: December 7, 2024
Accepted: December 25, 2024
Published online: January 18, 2025
Processing time: 169 Days and 1.5 Hours
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disorder requiring innovative treatment approaches.
To evaluate the use of nanofat, a specialized form of adipose tissue-derived cells, in the treatment of OA, by examining its efficacy, safety profile, mechanisms of action, comparative effectiveness, and long-term outcomes.
A comprehensive review of preclinical studies, clinical trials, and in vitro investigations was conducted. The included studies provided insights into the potential role of nanofat in OA treatment, addressing its efficacy, safety profile, mech
Clinical studies consistently reported the efficacy of nanofat in providing pain relief and functional improvement in patients with OA. Local adverse events were limited to the injection site, such as localized pain and inflammation, and resolved within a few days to weeks. Systemic adverse events were rare, and no significant long-term complications were observed. Mechanistically, nanofat was found to enhance chondrocyte proliferation, reduce inflammation, and promote angioge
Nanofat therapy holds promise as a therapeutic option for managing OA, providing pain relief, functional improvement, and potential tissue regeneration. The safety profile of nanofat treatment appears favorable, but long-term data are still limited. Standardized protocols, larger randomized controlled trials, longer follow-up periods, and cost-effectiveness evaluations are warranted to establish optimal protocols, comparative effectiveness, and long-term outcomes. Despite current limitations, nanofat therapy demonstrates translational potential and should be considered in clinical practice for OA treatment, with careful patient selection and monitoring.
Core Tip: The systematic review establishes that nanofat therapy is a promising intervention for osteoarthritis (OA), offering both pain relief and functional improvement, while also maintaining a favorable safety profile. The therapy's underlying mechanisms include the enhancement of chondrocyte proliferation, reduction of inflammation, and promotion of angiogenesis. Despite these promising findings, the study underscores the need for additional research, particularly in the form of large-scale randomized controlled trials, to validate the long-term efficacy and safety of nanofat therapy in the management of OA.