Leptin as an angiogenic factor in grainy fat transplantation

Objective To investigate the angiogenic effect of leptin on grainy fat transplantation. Methods Grainy fat was obtained from the Wistar rat subcutaneous tissue in the abdomen. It was then mixed with 0.9 % NS and 20 ng/ml leptin and transplanted in the head subcutaneously. The transplanted tissue was taken out after 10, 20 and 40 days and was stained with AKP histochemistry and actin immunohistochemistry. The microvessel density was measured by medical imagine analysis system. The data were analyzed with SPSS software. Results The values of microvessel density in leptin groups were 0.12 ±0.04μm 2/μm 2 after 10 days and (6.83±1.86)×10 -2 μm 2/μm 2 after 20 days. This was obviously high as compared with (1.49±0.88)×10 -2 μm 2/μm 2 and (4.32±2.11)×10 -2 μm 2/μm 2 in saline groups in the same observing periods ( P 0.05). Actin staining in leptin groups was also intense. Conclusion Leptin may be a candidate angiogenesis factor in grainy fat transplantation.