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Tirzepatide as a Potential Disease-Modifying Therapy in Lipedema: A Narrative Review on Bridging Metabolism, Inflammation, and Fibrosis
Resource type
Authors/contributors
- Viana, Diogo Pinto da Costa (Author)
- Invitti, Adriana Luckow (Author)
- Schor, Eduardo (Author)
Title
Tirzepatide as a Potential Disease-Modifying Therapy in Lipedema: A Narrative Review on Bridging Metabolism, Inflammation, and Fibrosis
Abstract
Lipedema is a chronic, progressive adipose tissue disorder that affects up to 10% of women and is characterized by disproportionate lower-limb fat accumulation, pain, edema, and resistance to conventional weight-loss approaches. Its pathophysiology involves a complex interplay of adipocyte hypertrophy, chronic inflammation, extracellular matrix fibrosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and sex steroid imbalance, highlighting the need for disease-modifying therapies. This narrative review synthesizes mechanistic, translational, and clinical evidence linking metabolic, inflammatory, and fibrotic pathways to lipedema and tirzepatide's potential therapeutic relevance. Tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1)/GIP (Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide) receptor agonist, has demonstrated unprecedented efficacy in obesity and diabetes, alongside pleiotropic actions on inflammation, fibrosis, and adipose remodeling. Mechanistic studies reveal favorable effects on macrophage polarization, cytokine signaling, extracellular matrix turnover, and thermogenesis, suggesting potential relevance to lipedema biology. Translational evidence from related fibro-inflammatory conditions such as steatohepatitis and heart failure further supports its antifibrotic and immunomodulatory plausibility. Although direct clinical evidence in lipedema is lacking, the convergence of mechanistic pathways provides a strong rationale to investigate tirzepatide as a disease-modifying candidate. If future clinical studies confirm these mechanisms, tirzepatide could represent a novel metabolic-hormonal therapy capable of modifying the natural course of lipedema.
Publication
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume
26
Issue
21
Pages
10741
Date
2025-11-05
Journal Abbr
Int J Mol Sci
Language
eng
ISSN
1422-0067
Short Title
Tirzepatide as a Potential Disease-Modifying Therapy in Lipedema
Library Catalog
PubMed
Citation
Viana, D. P. da C., Invitti, A. L., & Schor, E. (2025). Tirzepatide as a Potential Disease-Modifying Therapy in Lipedema: A Narrative Review on Bridging Metabolism, Inflammation, and Fibrosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(21), 10741. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110741
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