Description:
Lipedema may be considered a model for healthy expandability ofsubcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). This condition is characterized by thedisproportional and symmetrical SAT accumulation in the lower-body partsand extremities, avoiding the abdominal area. There are no circulatingbiomarkers facilitating the diagnosis of lipedema. We tested the hypothesisthat women living with lipedema present a distinct pattern of circulatingparameters compared to age- and BMI-matched women. In 26 women (Age48.3 ± 13.9 years, BMI 32.6 ± 5.8 kg/m2; lipedema group: n=13; control group:n=13), we assessed circulating parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism,inflammation, oxidative stress, sex hormones and a proteomics panel. We findthat women with lipedema have better glucose metabolism regulationrepresented by lower HbA1c (5.55 ± 0.62%) compared to controls (6.73 ±0.85%; p<0.001); and higher adiponectin levels (lipedema: 4.69 ± 1.99 mmol/l;control: 3.28 ± 1.00 mmol/l; p=0.038). Despite normal glycemic parameters,women with lipedema have significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (5.84± 0.70 mmol/L vs 4.55 ± 0.77 mmol/L in control; p<0.001), LDL-C (3.38 ± 0.68mmol/L vs 2.38 ± 0.66 mmol/L in control; p=0.002), as well as highercirculating inflammation (top 6 based on p-values: TNFSF14, CASP8, ENRAGE,EIF4EBP1 , ADA, MCP-1) and oxidative stress markers(malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and catalase). Our findings suggestthat the expected association between activation of inflammatory andoxidative stress pathways and impaired glucose metabolism arecounterbalanced by protective factors in lipedema.