Study of Cortisol Metabolism in Familial Partial Lipodystrophy Type 2

Familial partial lipodystrophic syndromes are characterized by an increase in visceral adipose tissue and an atrophy of subcutaneous adipose tissue. They are associated with a severe metabolic syndrome especially when linked to the mutation of the R482 codon of the LMNA gene (Familial partial lipodystrophy type 2, FPL2). Data in lipodystrophy induced by antiretroviral therapy of HIV suggests an increase in the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11bHSD1). This enzyme reactivates cortisone in cortisol in adipose tissues and liver and has associated to obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hence, the hypothesis is that in patients suffering from FPL2 with the R482 codon mutation of the LMNA gene, there is an increase in the activity of HSD11B1 which could participate to the metabolic phenotype of the disease.