WASHINGTON, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Fat removed from the lower abdomen and inner thigh through liposuction was found to be an excellent source of stem cells, with higher stem cell concentrations than other areas of the body, according to U.S. journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery on Wednesday.

    This is the first study of its kind to examine whether fat tissues from different areas of the body vary in stem cell concentration.

    In the study, 23 female patients having liposuction in at least four different body areas agreed their fat isolated for adult stem cells and analyzed to determine stem cell concentrations. The body areas that were involved are: lower abdomen, upper abdomen, inner knee, inner thigh, flank and hips.

    Researchers found a significant difference in stem cell concentrations in different areas. A major finding was that the concentration of stem cells was greatest in the lower abdomen and inner thighs. Interestingly, stem cell concentration in the lower abdomen was five times greater than in the upper abdomen.

    Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have not yet developed a specific function. Not only are they capable of self renewal, stem cells can divide and produce others that become specialized cells.

    Adult stem cells, derived from our own tissues, hold strong promise for improved clinical therapies. "The value of stem cells harvested through fat is the ready and ample supply available," said Richard D'Amico, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), official publisher of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

    According to ASPS statistics, more than 301,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the United States in 2007.

    "Using stem cells will some day have very practical applications to the specialty of plastic surgery," said D'Amico. "We may be able to generate new tissue or bone that can be used in many of the reconstructive and cosmetic procedures we do every day."