Adipose tissue derived stromal vascular fraction as an adjuvant therapy in stroke rehabilitation: Case reports

INTRODUCTION: Stroke often causes residual hemiparesis, and upper extremity motor impairment is usually more disabling than lower extremity in those who are suffering from post-stroke hemiparesis. Cell therapy is one of the promising therapies to reduce post-stroke disability. PATIENT CONCERNS: Three male participants were included in the study to investigate the feasibility and tolerability of autologous adipose tissue derived stromal vascular fraction. DIAGNOSIS: All participants had hemiparesis after 1st-ever stroke longer than 6 months previously. INTERVENTIONS: Under general anesthesia, liposuction of abdominal subcutaneous fat was performed. Stromal vascular fraction freshly isolated from the adipose tissue extract was injected into the muscles of paretic upper extremity. All participants received inpatient stroke rehabilitation consisted of physical and occupational therapy more than 3 hours a day for 2 months or more. OUTCOMES: The whole procedure did not produce any significant adverse event in all participants. Adipose tissue extracts yielded sufficient stromal cells. One participant showed clinically important change in upper extremity Fugl–Meyer assessment after the injection and it lasted up to 6 months. Functional magnetic resonance imaging showed concomitant increase in ipsilesional cortical activity. The other 2 participants did not show remarkable changes. LESSONS: Intramuscular injection of autologous adipose tissue derived stromal vascular fraction seems to be a safe and tolerable procedure in subjects with chronic stroke, and its utility in rehabilitation needs further investigation.