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. 2017:2017:4701481.
doi: 10.1155/2017/4701481. Epub 2017 Aug 23.

The Effects of Low-Intensity Ultrasound on Fat Reduction of Rat Model

Bill Zhou  1 , Benny Yuk Kin Leung  2 , Lei Sun  2
Affiliations

The Effects of Low-Intensity Ultrasound on Fat Reduction of Rat Model

Bill Zhou et al. Biomed Res Int. 2017.

Abstract

Nonfocused low-intensity ultrasound is generally believed to be less efficacious than High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) at body fat reduction; nevertheless, this technology has already been widely used clinically for body contouring purposes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this new technology by applying 1 MHz nonfocused ultrasound at 3 W/cm2 to the outer-thigh region of rat models. Ultrasonography measurement demonstrated an average reduction of 0.5 mm of subcutaneous fat thickness that persisted for at least three days after treatment. Biochemical analysis quantified a significant increase in lipid levels, specifically triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol. These two findings of subcutaneous fat reduction and plasma lipid increase showed a positive correlation. No evidence of adverse events or complications was observed after the treatment. This study validated nonfocused low-intensity ultrasound as an effective and safe method for body fat reduction, especially with repetitive treatment. However, the concurrent increase in plasma lipid level will require further investigation to determine this technology's long-term impact, if any, on health.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart summary of the experiment procedure.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pretreatment, posttreatment, and follow-up ultrasound images of three of the subjects (R8, R11, and R3) receiving ultrasound induced lipolysis treatment. The site of measurement was referenced to the identified anatomical trademark. (a) Fat layer showed a thickness reduction of 0.9 mm after treatment (high effect); (b) fat layer showed a thickness reduction of 0.4 mm after treatment (low effect); (c) fat layer showed a thickness reduction of 0.7 mm after treatment (Moderate effect).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Histogram of fat layer thickness changes at different stages and the corresponding statistical significance.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Histogram of the blood lipid level variation before and after the treatment and the corresponding statistical significance. (a) Blood TG level, (b) HDL level, and (c) CHOL level.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Scatter plot of the blood parameter increment and the corresponding thickness reduction. Each dot represented one of the rat subjects (n = 11). (a) Blood TG level, (b) HDL level, and (c) CHOL level. Correlation coefficients (r value) shown were 0.295 (p < 0.05), −0.538 (p < 0.05), and 0.512 (p < 0.05), respectively.
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