Lipodystrophy

Lipodystrophy. This is focal decrease of adipose tissue reserves. More important diseases include Berardinelli-Seip syndrome, acquired lipoatrophy, familial autosomal dominant lipodystrophy, and others. Focal loss of adipose tissue occurs in acute necrotizing panniculitis (fibrotic inflammation of subcutaneous adipose tissue, cellulitis). Acquired lipoatrophy, or lipodystrophy, manifests as acquired or inherited autosomal-recessive peripheral and visceral adipose tissue atrophy (adipose tissue remains only around joints, epidural, retroorbital, palms and soles adipose tissue, and in acquired forms, also facial). During the disease, there is type V hyperlipoproteinemia, hepatic steatosis, sometimes secondary xanthomatosis, and always insulin-resistant diabetes. There is a significant increase in chylomicrons and VLDL levels in the blood. Therefore, triglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia occur. Acquired forms are caused by infections, often mononucleosis, pertussis, measles. Hip and buttock abscesses can occur. In lipodystrophy, autoimmune adipocyte damage is possible. It is known that antibodies to adipocytes are formed in patients with Graves’ disease and other lipodystrophy-causing disorders. Sometimes, patients with lipodystrophy have a high titer of autoantibodies to insulin receptors. Adipocytes lose fat and take on the appearance of fibroblasts. Women with this disease often have hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome. Kidney damage and intellectual disabilities are common in both sexes.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė