Effect of adipose biopsy technique on tissue histology

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare adipocyte size and integrity in adipose tissue between Mercedes and Bergström biopsy techniques in healthy, recreationally active adults. Methods: Baseline abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue was obtained from 10 (7M, 3F; 28±4 y; 87±9 kg; Body Fat 30±8%; VO2max 3.4±0.8 L/min) healthy, recreationally active adults (i.e., regular aerobic and/or resistance exercise 3-5 days/wk) on contralateral sides via the Mercedes and Bergström biopsy techniques. Samples were cryopreserved until downstream processing and analysis. Following sectioning and staining, adipocyte quality [i.e. cross-sectional area (CSA) and intact cells] was analyzed and compared between biopsy techniques. Results: Average tissue yield for the Mercedes biopsy was greater than the Bergström biopsy (1171±545 mg vs. 318±58 mg, respectively; P<0.05) with a range of yields (393-1940 mg vs. 215-380 mg, respectively). Mean CSA did not differ between Mercedes and Bergström biopsy techniques (6517±952 μm2 vs. 6116±1652 μm2, respectively; P>0.05). The percent distribution for CSA clustering followed the same trend for both techniques. Intact area was similar between Mercedes (61±16%) and Bergström (63±11%) (P>0.05) techniques. Positive correlations between CSA & BMI (R=0.73) and CSA & total body fat percentage (R=0.82) were discovered, along with negative correlations between CSA & absolute VO2max (R=-0.72) and CSA & relative VO2max (R=-0.70) (P<0.05). Conclusions: The Mercedes technique obtained a larger biopsy yield which may allow for an increased number of analyses to be performed on the tissue, whereas the Bergström technique may allow for an increased number of feasible biopsies. Adipocyte size and integrity did not differ between Mercedes and Bergström biopsies suggesting that the two sampling techniques provide comparable quality of tissue for analysis. Thus, this histological analysis indicates researchers can utilize either technique in human adipose tissue research to histologically analyze samples.