Project: A Novel Approach to Examine Adipose Cellular Kinetics of Lipedema

Principal Investigator: Eric Ravussin, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator: Ursula White, PhD
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Clinical Science
Baton Rouge, LA

Summary

Our proposed research will investigate novel characteristics of adipose (fat) tissue in patients with Lipedema. More specifically, we will measure for the first time in vivo adipocyte formation and triglyceride synthesis in the Lipedema depots.

Background

Lipedema is characterized by an abnormal deposition of adipose (fat) tissue, resulting in fluid accumulation, enlargement of the limbs, and pain. Lipedema is often misdiagnosed as simply obesity. A major challenge with diagnosis is that the biology of the disease is poorly understood. Limited studies suggest that the development of Lipedema may involve adipocyte hypertrophy, an increased commitment of adipose progenitor cells, hypoxia, and subsequent adipocyte necrosis and macrophage recruitment. The objective of this proposal is to measure in vivo adipocyte formation and triglyceride synthesis, using for the first time the validated 2H-labeling approach, in the adipose tissue of patients with Lipedema. Findings from this proposal will contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of abnormal deposition of fat in patients with Lipedema and potentially provide insight for the development of novel therapeutic targets.

Methodology

This proposal will implement, for the first time, a practical, metabolic 2H-labeling approach to measure in vivo adipocyte formation and triglyceride synthesis in the adipose tissue of patients with Lipedema. This is an observational study of abdominal (non-Lipedema) versus thigh (Lipedema) fat biopsies of women with Lipedema. Lipedema adipose depots will be compared to non-Lipedema depots in these patients. The data collected from patients with Lipedema will also be compared with those previously obtained in women with traditional obesity, who will be matched for age and BMI.

Expected outcomes

We hypothesize that Lipedema adipose depots will have higher rates of adipocyte formation and triglyceride synthesis than both non-Lipedema depots and those of the comparison group of women with obesity. Hence, Lipedema may involve adipose tissue remodeling, characterized by both adipocyte hypertrophy and increased commitment of adipocyte progenitor cells and differentiation of adipocytes (adipogenesis).

Practical implementations of results

The use of this state-of-the-art 2H-labeling approach to examine the in vivo dynamics of adipose turnover and remodeling is significant, as these findings may provide valuable insight to distinguish the pathology of Lipedema from that of traditional obesity. Findings from this proposal will contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of abnormal deposition of fat in patients with Lipedema and potentially provide insight for the development of novel therapeutic targets.

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