Current Issues in Molecular Biology
Narrative Review of Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Diagnostic Biomarkers in Adipose Tissue Remodelling and Adipokine Dysregulation in Lipedema
By Olga Sierawska and Wioleta Dudzińska.
Abstract
Aim
This narrative review summarises evidence on pathogenetic mechanisms of adipose tissue remodelling and adipokine dysregulation in lipedema, focusing on adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, fibrosis, microcirculatory and lymphatic dysfunction, immune-cell alterations, and diagnostic biomarkers.
Methods
We conducted a narrative search in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from database inception to September 2026, including publications from 2001 to 2026. Search terms included “lipedema”, “lipedema adipokines”, “lipedema biomarkers”, “adipose tissue remodelling”, “fibrosis”, “adipocyte hypertrophy”, and “adipocyte hyperplasia”, combined with specific molecules. Bibliographies were screened. This review was not registered and did not follow a systematic-review protocol.