Lipodystrophy: An Overview of Its Management

Abstract

Lipodystrophy is the acquired or inherited metabolic disorder sophisticated by complete or partial loss of fat in the body. The disorders of lipodystrophy are differentiated by degrees of severity, and by areas or organ systems of the body affected. The pathogenesis remains unestablished, but chiefly it is associated with adipose tissue as well as genetic and other host factors. Genetic and molecular researches help to improve underlying mechanism of the lipodystrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, computed tomography, ultrasonography and other laboratory tests are helpful to assess the fat content and other related disorders at regular intervals. It is combined with a number of complications mostly diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and other metabolic abnormalities. The proper usage of diet, exercise, nutrition and therapeutic usage of growth hormones, anti-diabetic drugs, hyper-lipidemic drugs, changes in HIV medications are helpful in controlling lipodystrophy to an extent. Hormones of adipose tissue, leptin and adiponectin enhance the circulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ agonists, for therapeutic usage. The novel therapeutic approaches include laser and other potential applications in surgery which guide to therapeutic armamentarium. The new insights from the research and clinical trials could potentially strategize the management of lipodystrophy.