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Article
Subcutaneous infiltration of carbon dioxide (carboxytherapy) for abdominal fat reduction: A randomized clinical trial
Department of Biostatistics Faculty Publications
  • Murad Alam, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Divya Sadhwani, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Amelia Geisler, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Imran Aslam, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Inder Raj S. Makin, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
  • Daniel I. Schlessinger, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Wareeporn Disphanurat, Thammasat University
  • Marisa Pongprutthipan, Chulalongkorn University
  • Nataya Voravutinon, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Alexandra Weil, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Brian R. Chen, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Dennis P. West, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Emir Veledar, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Emily Poon, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Date of this Version
8-1-2018
Document Type
Article
Abstract

Background: Noninvasive fat removal is preferred because of decreased downtime and lower perceived risk. It is important to seek new noninvasive fat removal treatments that are both safe and efficacious. Objective: To assess the extent to which carboxytherapy, which is the insufflation of carbon dioxide gas into subcutaneous fat, results in reduction of fat volume. Methods: In this randomized, sham-controlled, split-body study, adults (body mass index, 22-29 kg/m2) were randomized to receive 5 weekly infusions of 1000 cm3 of CO2 to 1 side of the abdomen, and 5 sham treatments to the contralateral side. The primary outcome measures were ultrasound measurement of fat layer thickness and total circumference before and after treatment. Results: A total of 16 participants completed the study. Ultrasound measurement indicated less fat volume on the side treated with carboxytherapy 1 week after the last treatment (P =.011), but the lower fat volume was not maintained at 28 weeks. Total circumference decreased nominally but not significantly at week 5 compared with baseline (P =.0697). Participant body weights did not change over the entire course of the study (P = 1.00). Limitations: Limitations included modest sample size and some sources of error in the measurement of circumference and fat layer. Conclusion: Carboxytherapy provides a transient decrease in subcutaneous fat that may not persist. Treatment is well tolerated.

Citation Information
Murad Alam, Divya Sadhwani, Amelia Geisler, Imran Aslam, et al.. "Subcutaneous infiltration of carbon dioxide (carboxytherapy) for abdominal fat reduction: A randomized clinical trial" (2018)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/emir-veledar/425/