Journal Article Epublish 12 citations
PubMed: 40125475 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.104571
Changes in Cytokines and Fibrotic Growth Factors after Low-Carbohydrate or Low-Fat Low-Energy Diets in Females with Lipedema.
Curr Dev Nutr 9(3):104571
Authors: Julianne Lundanes, Vilde Fiske Nes, Oda Aakervik, Liv Ryan, Patrik Hansson, Anne Mari Rokstad, Catia Martins, Siren Nymo
Affiliations
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
- Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Clinic of Surgery, Namsos Hospital, Namsos, Norway.
- Clinical Nutrition Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
- Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Clinic of Surgery, Namsos Hospital, Namsos, Norway. Centre for Nutrition, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
- Department of Food and Nutrition and Sport Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
- Centre for Obesity and Innovation, Clinic of Surgery, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
Abstract
Background
Lipedema is considered an inflammation-related disease, and low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets may help reduce inflammation. However, no randomized controlled trials have investigated the effect of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet on inflammatory markers in females with lipedema.
Objectives
To compare changes in inflammatory and fibrosis-associated markers after a low-energy low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) compared with a low-fat diet in females with lipedema, and to explore potential associations between changes in pain and changes in inflammatory and fibrosis-associated markers.
Methods
Females with lipedema and obesity were randomly assigned to either an LCD or low-fat diet (both 1200 kcal/d) for 8 weeks. Body composition [fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass] and the plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), cytokines, and fibrosis-associated markers were measured pre- and postintervention.
Results
A total of 70 females were included (35/group) (mean age: 47.3 ± 10.9 y, BMI: 36.9 ± 4.9 kg/m). Both groups lost weight and FM (kg and %), with a greater reduction in the LCD group. A reduction in macrophage inflammatory protein-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and hsCRP was seen in the LCD group only, despite no significant differences between groups. No associations were found between changes in pain and changes in cytokines and fibrosis-associated markers.
Conclusions
Changes in cytokines and fibrosis-associated markers did not differ between low-energy LCD and low-fat diets in females with lipedema, despite a beneficial profile in the LCD group. Inflammation does not seem to be involved in pain reduction following LCD in this patient group.
Trial registration number
This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04632810.
MeSH
Cytokines, Growth, Fibrosis, Pain, C-Reactive Protein, Lipedema, Diet, Fat-Restricted, Diet, Diet, Ketogenic, Weight Loss, Carbohydrates