Evaluation of Serum Irisin, Leptin, Adiponectin, Resistin, and Galectin-3 Levels and Their Relationship with Ultrasonographic Subcutaneous Fat Thickness in Patients with Lipedema
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s00266-026-06279-z
- Dergi Adı: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Adipokines, Adiponectin, Irisin, Leptin, Lipedema, Ultrasonography
- Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin, irisin, and galectin-3 levels between patients with lipedema and healthy controls, and to examine their relationship with subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness. Methods: In this cross sectional case control study, 40 female patients with lipedema and 36 age and body mass index matched healthy controls were included. Serum levels of adiponectin, leptin, resistin, irisin, and galectin-3 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness was assessed by ultrasonography at predefined anatomical sites. Pain intensity, functional status, and quality of life were evaluated. Correlation analyses were performed to investigate associations between biomarkers and ultrasonographic findings. Results: Serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin, irisin, galectin-3, and routine biochemical parameters did not differ significantly between groups (all p > 0.05). Subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness was significantly higher in all measured regions in the lipedema group (p < 0.001). Biomarker levels did not differ according to lipedema stage (all p > 0.05). Among the evaluated biomarkers, only serum leptin showed a weak positive correlation with anterior thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (rho = 0.399, p = 0.014). In secondary comparisons, patients with lipedema reported higher pain scores and lower functional capacity and quality of life (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin, irisin, and galectin-3 levels were similar between patients with lipedema and healthy controls despite significantly increased subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness. Only leptin showed a weak positive correlation with anterior thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness. These findings suggest that circulating biomarkers may not adequately reflect local adipose tissue alterations in lipedema. Further studies are needed to clarify their role in the pathophysiology of lipedema. Level of Evidence III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.