Lipofuscin

Also known as lipochrome & wear –tear or ageing pigment
Term “Lipofuscin” is derived from latin word “fuscus – brown” which refers to brown lipid
It is an endogenous pigment which is golden brown in colour
Composed of polymers of lipids & phospholipids complexed with proteins
It is derived through lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated lipids of sub cellular membranes and oxidized cross linked proteins
Microscopic appearance: Appears as yellow-brown, finely granular intracytoplasmic, often perinuclear pigment
It is a sign of free radical injury
Prominent in liver and heart of ageing patients or patients with severe malnutrition cancer cachexia
Lipofuscin accumulation in the heart muscle as process of ageing is called “Brown atrophy of heart”

Vinay kumar, Abul K.Abbas, Nelson Fausto, Jon C. Aster. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic basis of disease. 8th edition.