Dr. Garg and his collaborators at the National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH reported beneficial effects of leptin replacement therapy on glycemic control, lipoprotein levels and hepatic steatosis in patients with severe lipodystrophy and leptin deficiency. This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Leptin is a hormone produced by the adipose tissue (body fat) and regulates appetite and energy expenditure. This landmark study supports the role of leptin deficiency as a major contributor to the insulin resistance and other metabolic abnormalities seen in severe lipodystrophy. Furthermore, leptin therapy may become the choice of therapy for treating these severely insulin resistant patients with lipodystrophies. Dr. Garg is now initiating studies to investigate whether leptin therapy will improve metabolic complication in hypoleptinemic patients with partial lipodystrophies.
Recently, he identified two patterns of lipodystrophy in patients with mandibuloacral dysplasia which has led him to identify another gene, ZMPSTE24 besides LMNA, for this disorder. >> More of Dr. Garg's accomplishments can be found on the Lipodystrophy.Info Website (see below).
