The relationship between adipose tissue metabolites and adipose tissue thickness in patients with lipedema

The relationships between adipose tissue thickness and adiponectin, ghrelin, resistin and, visfatin levels were aimed to investigate in this study of the cases with lipedema. For this purpose the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue was evaluated objectively by using ultrasonography. 19 of women cases diagnosed as lipedema and healthy 15 women that there was no difference in respect to age were included in the study. The criterias described as clinically and ultrasonographic criteria according to measurement of subcutaneous tissue thickness were used in diagnosis of lipedema. The serum levels of adiponectin, ghrelin, resistin and visfatin were measured in Eliza equipment by using sandwich method in allof the cases. Subcutaneous tissue and total skin- subcutis thickness were found to be statistically significantly increased in thigh and calf except to skin thickness in thigh in lipedema cases compared to the controls (P<0,000). There was no significant difference between the cases with lipedema and controls in respect to serum levels of adiponectin, ghrelin, resistin and visfatin (P>0,05). A significant relationship not detected between adiponectin, ghrelin, resistin and visfatin, and measurements of skin, subcutis and total skin-subcutis thickness in ultrasonography in cases with lipedema and controls (P>0,05). In conclusion, even though statistically significant relationship between the thickness of subcutaneous tissue and adipokines was not showed in clinical lipedema, the differentiations were occured when compared to healthy cases. The adipokines that delivered subcutan tissue could be important role in the etiopathogenesis and clinic of lipedema. Future studies conducted in large case series will be elucidated relationship between the adipokines and subcutaneous tissue thickness. Keywords: Adipokines, Lipedema, Ultrasound