Adult Stem Cell

Adipose Stem Cells Versus Bone Marrow Stem Cells

Adult stem cells are generally placed into two categories, which are differentiated by how they are derived from the body. The categories are adipose stem cells and bone marrow stem cells.

• Adipose stem cells: This type of stem cell is drawn from fat deposits in the body. Using tumescent liposuction, the fat is drawn from the body. Then, with the use of special medical equipment, the stem cells are separated from the other fatty tissue. Adipose stem cells are less invasive to harvest from the patient, but they are more experimental.
• Bone marrow stem cells: As the name implies, bone marrow stem cells are drawn from within the patient’s bones. Here, the stem-cell-rich bone marrow is drawn from the patient intravenously. This is a more invasive procedure, but it has been used more historically.

Adult stem cells are often combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), but not always. Platelet-rich plasma is taken from the patient’s blood and enhances the regenerative qualities of stem cells because it has regenerative qualities as well.