A potential new lymphedema target: Clearing cholesterol deposits to reduce swelling
Medical Xpress
February 17, 2026
An international team led by National University of Singapore researchers has linked secondary lymphedema to excessive cholesterol buildup inside skin and around lymphatic vessels. Excess cholesterol deposition tracked with dermal fat cell enlargement, fat cell dysfunction, cell death, and fibrosis, while cholesterol-clearing interventions reduced swelling and improved lymphatic drainage in mouse models, alongside reduced tissue cholesterol and clinical procedures that improved drainage.
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/17/2026