ECM based compositions including amniotic membrane and methods for employing same to treat cardiovascular disorders.

The present invention provides polymers for use in preventing damage to the membranes of cells in fat grafts. Mixing of a triblock copolymer such as poloxymer P188 with adipocytes or adipose tissue to be transplanted into a subject is thought to stabilize the membranes of the cells leading to more successful fat transplantation in soft tissue reconstruction or augmentation. Such methods may also be used in the transplantation of adult stem cells or other cells derived from fat tissue. Other agents such as lipoic acid may also be added to the polymer/cell compositions for cell transplantation.

The present invention provides polymers for use in preventing damage to the membranes of cells in fat grafts. Mixing of a triblock copolymer such as poloxymer P188 with adipocytes or adipose tissue to be transplanted into a subject is thought to stabilize the membranes of the cells leading to more successful fat transplantation in soft tissue reconstruction or augmentation. Such methods may also be used in the transplantation of adult stem cells or other cells derived from fat tissue. Other agents such as lipoic acid may also be added to the polymer/cell compositions for cell transplantation.

The present invention relates to methods for the preparation of compositions comprising adipose tissue-derived secretions, for example those derived from bovine adipose tissue, and the use of such compositions in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for topical use. The invention also relates to the use of adipose tissue-derived secretions and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for the topical treatment of a non-inflammatory condition, for example the treatment of a skin condition, and for the stimulation of hair growth in a subject by topical application. The invention also relates to the use of adipose tissue-derived secretions and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for the topical treatment of acne.

The present invention relates to methods for the preparation of compositions comprising adipose tissue-derived secretions, for example those derived from bovine adipose tissue, and the use of such compositions in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for topical use. The invention also relates to the use of adipose tissue-derived secretions and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for the topical treatment of a non-inflammatory condition, for example the treatment of a skin condition, and for the stimulation of hair growth in a subject by topical application. The invention also relates to the use of adipose tissue-derived secretions and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for the topical treatment of acne.

Methods of producing human stem cells are disclosed for parthenogenetically activating human oocytes by manipulation of O.sub.2 tension, including manipulation of Ca.sup.2+ under high O.sub.2 tension and contacting oocytes with serine threonine kinase inhibitors under low O.sub.2 tension, isolating inner cell masses (ICMs) from the activated oocytes, and culturing the cells of the isolated ICMs under high O.sub.2 tension. Moreover, methods are described for the production of stems cells from activated oocytes in the absence of non-human animal products, including the use of human feeder cells/products for culturing ICM/stem cells. Stem cells produced by the disclosed methods are also described.

Methods of producing human stem cells are disclosed for parthenogenetically activating human oocytes by manipulation of O.sub.2 tension, including manipulation of Ca.sup.2+ under high O.sub.2 tension and contacting oocytes with serine threonine kinase inhibitors under low O.sub.2 tension, isolating inner cell masses (ICMs) from the activated oocytes, and culturing the cells of the isolated ICMs under high O.sub.2 tension. Moreover, methods are described for the production of stems cells from activated oocytes in the absence of non-human animal products, including the use of human feeder cells/products for culturing ICM/stem cells. Stem cells produced by the disclosed methods are also described.

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method of delivering fat to one or more sites in an individual in need thereof comprising introducing an effective amount of one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue to the one or more sites in the individual. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of maintaining or augmenting (increasing) fat volume at one or more sites in an individual in need thereof comprising introducing an effective amount one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue to the one or more sites in the individual. The one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue is maintained under conditions in which the fat volume is maintained and/or augmented at the one or more sites in the individual.

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method of delivering fat to one or more sites in an individual in need thereof comprising introducing an effective amount of one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue to the one or more sites in the individual. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of maintaining or augmenting (increasing) fat volume at one or more sites in an individual in need thereof comprising introducing an effective amount one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue to the one or more sites in the individual. The one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue is maintained under conditions in which the fat volume is maintained and/or augmented at the one or more sites in the individual.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a non-enzymatic method for isolating stem cells from adipose tissue, wherein the method comprises treating adipose tissue with ultrasonic cavitation to break up the adipose tissue and lyses mature adipocytes, resulting in a stromal vascular fraction containing viable stromal/stem cells.