Phosphatidylcholine treatment to induce lipolysis.

The medicine Lipostabil N has been in widespread use in Europe since 2002 by doctors working in the field of esthetics to achieve a reduction in the volume of smaller fat deposits by means of injections into the subcutaneous fatty tissue. The lipases released from the adipocytes by means of phosphatidylcholine produce a local breakdown of fat that is then discharged over the liver and metabolized via beta-oxidation. The medicine has been authorized for intravenous use in the prophylaxis and therapy of fat embolisms and liver diseases.