title: [Lipodystrophy. Mechanisms, clinical presentation, therapy].
abstract: Lipodystrophy syndromes are a heterogenous group of congenital and acquired disorders with generalized or partial absence of subcutaneous adipose tissue. They are associated with severe metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and hypertriglyceridemia that may result in life-threatening acute pancreatitis, steatohepatitis, and cardiovascular disease. Conventional lipid-lowering and antihyperglycemic medications may be insufficient to control severe metabolic abnormalities. The adipose tissue-derived hormone leptin has been investigated as a novel therapeutic option for severe lipodystrophy and significantly improves metabolic abnormalities in these patients. In Germany, leptin treatment for lipodystrophic patients with severe metabolic abnormalities is offered free of charge by the University Medicine Leipzig within a compassionate use program.
authors.affiliation: Department für Innere Medizin, Neurologie und Dermatologie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Endokrinologie und Nephrologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miehle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stumvoll
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fasshauer
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020738:Leptin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D020738:Leptin