New Horizons of Adipose Tissue Disorders: From Hormonal Issues to Loose Connective Disease: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 176

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Adipose tissue disorders, especially regarding superficial adipose tissue or subcutaneous fibro-adipose tissue, and diseases involving the lymphatic system are not yet considered in the same manner as diseases of other organs or tissues by the medical/scientific community.

These disorders are therefore often not adequately studied by researchers and are underestimated, consequently becoming the prerogative of non-healthcare professionals who deal with aesthetic pathologies.

Nonetheless, many years have now passed since the new vision and redefinition of adipose tissue as one of the major endocrine organs and a very important connection network between other endocrine–metabolic systems and other organs and tissues of the organism, e.g., the effects of leptin on the central nervous system and the regulation of fertility.

From the data emerging from studies carried out on rare diseases of adipose tissue, lipedema and tissue alterations linked to lymphedema, it is increasingly relevant to consider these diseases as primitive, which could originate from the tissue itself and not always be linked to changes in body weight, hormones or metabolism, and as diseases that not only involve adipocytes, but also the loose connective tissue with the extracellular matrix, other non-adipocyte cells and the entire micro- and macro-vascular and lymphatic systems.

We warmly invite you and your colleagues to submit original research articles, reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and brief reports that address issues related to the future management and understanding of adipose and lymphatic tissue diseases, in particular lipedema and rare diseases of adipose tissue, as well as the clinical evaluation and instrumental diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, follow-up and prevention of these diseases.

We have successfully published the first volume, and you can read the related publications through the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/life/special_issues/6JGG8U233Y

Dr. Laura Patton
Dr. Guido Gabriele
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • adipose tissue
  • lipedema
  • lymphedema
  • obesity
  • matrix
  • vascular and lymphatic disorder
  • connective tissue diseases
  • dysbiosis
  • inflammation
  • pain

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 2586 KB  
Article
New Characterization of Lipedema Stages: Focus on Pain, Water, Fat and Skeletal Muscle
by Sara Al-Ghadban, Jane V. Evancio, Paula E. F. Alfiscar and Karen L. Herbst
Life 2025, 15(9), 1397; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15091397 - 3 Sep 2025
Abstract
Lipedema is a chronic, progressive adipose connective tissue disorder characterized by symmetrical, disproportionate fat accumulation, typically affecting the lower extremities and arms, accompanied by pain, swelling, and a sensation of heaviness. This study introduces intermediate Stages 1.5 and 2.5 to the established lipedema [...] Read more.
Lipedema is a chronic, progressive adipose connective tissue disorder characterized by symmetrical, disproportionate fat accumulation, typically affecting the lower extremities and arms, accompanied by pain, swelling, and a sensation of heaviness. This study introduces intermediate Stages 1.5 and 2.5 to the established lipedema classification (Stages 1, 2 and 3), and other affected areas, based on physical examination, a questionnaire, and photographic documentation. Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy (BIS) was employed to quantify total body water (TBW) across stages. A significant and linear increase in BMI was observed from Stage 1 to 3, correlating with increased reported pain and heaviness in the thighs, calves, and upper arms. Systemic symptoms of brain fog, debilitating fatigue, and hypothermia were significantly prevalent. TBW demonstrated a significant, stage-dependent increase in the lower extremities. Adipose tissue accumulation over the knees and feet significantly increased with lipedema stage. In contrast, shin involvement was evident in early stages and remained consistently elevated throughout later stages. Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM) exhibited a significant increase across lipedema stages, positively correlating with fat mass (FM) in Stage 3. This study elucidates previously underrecognized clinical features and distribution patterns of lipedema, offering a refined staging system to improve understanding of its progression and burden. Full article
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