Affiliations: Loges-School of Physiotherapy, Research Institute of
Physiotherapy & Gerontology, D-38667 Bad Harzburg, Germany | Research Institute of Environmental Medicine at
Heinrich-Heine University, D-40021 Duesseldorf, Germany | Hufeland Hospital, Center for Pneumology, Allergology,
Natural Medicine & Orthopedics, D-56130 Bad Ems, Germany
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Werner Siems, Loges-School of
Physiotherapy Bad Harzburg, Research Institute of Physiotherapy &
Gerontology at Loges-School, Papenbergstrasse 12, D-38667 Bad Harzburg,
Germany. Tel.: +49 5322 2541; Fax: +49 5322 54150; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: In vivo measurements in 26 female patients with lipedema and
cellulite parameters were carried out before and after therapy by means of
complex physical decongestive therapy (CPDT) including manual lymph drainage
and compression as main components and/or shock wave therapy (SWT). Oxidative
stress parameters of blood serum and biomechanic skin properties/smoothening of
dermis and hypodermis surface were evaluated. Oxidative stress in lipedema and
cellulite was demonstrated by increased serum concentrations of malondialdehyde
(MDA) and plasma protein carbonyls compared with healthy control persons. Both
MDA and protein carbonyls in blood plasma decreased after serial shock wave
application and CPDT. The SWT itself and CPDT itself lead to MDA release from
edematous tissue into the plasma. Obviously both therapy types, SWT and CPDT,
mitigate oxidative stress in lipedema and cellulite. In parallel SWT improved
significantly the biomechanic skin properties leading to smoothening of dermis
and hypodermis surface. Significant correlation between MDA depletion of
edematous and lipid enriched dermis and improvement of mechanic skin properties
was demonstrated. From these findings it is concluded, that a release of lipid
peroxidation (LPO) products from edematous dermis is an important
sclerosis-preventing effect of SWT and/or CPDT in lipedema and cellulite.
Expression of factors stimulating angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis such as
VEGF was not induced by SWT and/or CPDT and, therefore, not involved in
beneficial effects by SWT and/or CPDT.
