Estrogenic fat

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Estrogenic fat likely refers to adipose tissue that develops under the direct influence of estrogens, particularly estradiol. The term, albeit not very common, specifically pertains to subcutaneous adipose tissue (also known as subcutaneous fat)

Contents

Effects of estrogens on adipose tissue

Estrogenic fat mainly refers to the feminine secondary sex characteristic that develops at puberty and is maintained by estradiol throughout the premenopausal years, while estradiol production levels are maintained. It results from estrogenic contributions to the accumulation of fatty acids in the hips, thighs, and buttocks rather than the abdomen promoting a gynoid body shape. [1] [2] Estrogenic fat refers to subcutaneous adipose deposits as they are more sensitive to estrogen signaling than visceral adipose deposits due to higher concentrations of estrogen receptors than the latter. [3] Studies have shown that not only does body fat distribution vary by sex, [4] but is also modulated by sex hormones. [3] [5] Post menopausal women typically show a more android fat distribution following declines in estrogen and regain gynoid-like fat distribution with estrogen replacement. [6]

Studies on sexual dimorphisms of obesity show that estradiol plays a part in the regulation of fat storage; specifically the balance between subcutaneous and visceral fat storage, [1] and show an inverse relationship between visceral fat storage and estrogen levels [7] [8]

Both estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) have been identified in adipose tissue and direct action of estrogen signaling in adipose tissue has been shown in humans, mice, and rats. [9] [10] Direct effects of estrogen in adipose cells(adipocytes) includes modulation of cellular differentiation and proliferation, lipolysis, adipose tissue hyperplasia, cellular protein profile. [11] [12]

On subcutaneous adipose tissue

Many sex hormone receptors have been found in adipose tissue; with subcutaneous adipose tissue(SAT) possessing higher concentrations of estrogen receptors than androgen receptors. [3] In addition, estrogen receptor activity is known to down regulate androgen receptor expression in SAT. [4] Estrogen signaling promotes fat deposition in SAT depots which shifts fat storage dynamics away from visceral storage, [1] which is linked to higher incidence of coronary artery disease. [13] Clinical studies show the risk of NAFLD in post menopausal women is significantly reduced with estrogen replacement therapy [14]

Pre- and post-menopausal estrogen levels

Pre-menopausal women have higher levels of hormones, including estrogen. After menopause, subcutaneous fat depots in the breasts diminish due to lower levels adipocytes estrogen signaling, with a more pronounced decrease in estradiol levels. [15]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Krotkiewski M, Björntorp P, Sjöström L, Smith U (September 1983). "Impact of obesity on metabolism in men and women. Importance of regional adipose tissue distribution". The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 72 (3): 1150–1162. doi:10.1172/JCI111040. PMC   1129283 . PMID   6350364.
  2. ↑ Shi H, Clegg DJ (May 2009). "Sex differences in the regulation of body weight". Physiology & Behavior. 97 (2): 199–204. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.02.017. PMC   4507503 . PMID   19250944.
  3. 1 2 3 Lu SF, McKenna SE, Cologer-Clifford A, Nau EA, Simon NG (April 1998). "Androgen receptor in mouse brain: sex differences and similarities in autoregulation". Endocrinology. 139 (4): 1594–1601. doi:10.1210/endo.139.4.5863. PMID   9528939.
  4. 1 2 Björntorp P (October 1997). "Hormonal control of regional fat distribution". Human Reproduction. 12 (suppl 1): 21–25. doi:10.1093/humrep/12.suppl_1.21. PMID   9403318.
  5. ↑ Clegg DJ, Brown LM, Woods SC, Benoit SC (April 2006). "Gonadal hormones determine sensitivity to central leptin and insulin". Diabetes. 55 (4): 978–987. doi:10.2337/diabetes.55.04.06.db05-1339. PMID   16567519.
  6. ↑ Haarbo J, Marslew U, Gotfredsen A, Christiansen C (December 1991). "Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy prevents central distribution of body fat after menopause". Metabolism. 40 (12): 1323–1326. doi:10.1016/0026-0495(91)90037-w. PMID   1961129.
  7. ↑ Lee CG, Carr MC, Murdoch SJ, Mitchell E, Woods NF, Wener MH, et al. (April 2009). "Adipokines, inflammation, and visceral adiposity across the menopausal transition: a prospective study". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 94 (4): 1104–1110. doi:10.1210/jc.2008-0701. PMC   2682462 . PMID   19126626.
  8. ↑ Samargandy S, Matthews KA, Brooks MM, Barinas-Mitchell E, Magnani JW, Janssen I, et al. (March 2021). "Abdominal visceral adipose tissue over the menopause transition and carotid atherosclerosis: the SWAN heart study". Menopause. 28 (6): 626–633. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001755. PMC   8141004 . PMID   33651741.
  9. ↑ Crandall DL, Busler DE, Novak TJ, Weber RV, Kral JG (July 1998). "Identification of estrogen receptor beta RNA in human breast and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 248 (3): 523–526. doi:10.1006/bbrc.1998.8997. PMID   9703958.
  10. ↑ Wade GN, Gray JM (November 1978). "Cytoplasmic 17 beta-[3H]estradiol binding in rat adipose tissues". Endocrinology. 103 (5): 1695–1701. doi:10.1210/endo-103-5-1695. PMID   748011.
  11. ↑ Saavedra-Peña RD, Taylor N, Flannery C, Rodeheffer MS (April 2023). "Estradiol cycling drives female obesogenic adipocyte hyperplasia". Cell Reports. 42 (4): 112390. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112390. PMC   10567995 . PMID   37053070.
  12. ↑ Nedungadi TP, Clegg DJ (September 2009). "Sexual dimorphism in body fat distribution and risk for cardiovascular diseases". Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research. 2 (3): 321–327. doi:10.1007/s12265-009-9101-1. PMID   20560019.
  13. ↑ Wajchenberg BL (December 2000). "Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue: their relation to the metabolic syndrome". Endocrine Reviews. 21 (6): 697–738. doi:10.1210/edrv.21.6.0415. PMID   11133069.
  14. ↑ Tebbens M, Schutte M, Troelstra MA, Bruinstroop E, de Mutsert R, Nederveen AJ, et al. (December 2023). "Sex Steroids Regulate Liver Fat Content and Body Fat Distribution in Both Men and Women: A Study in Transgender Persons". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 109 (1): e280 –e290. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgad409. PMC   10735313 . PMID   37463488.
  15. ↑ Yaghjyan L, Colditz GA (April 2011). "Estrogens in the breast tissue: a systematic review". Cancer Causes & Control. 22 (4): 529–540. doi:10.1007/s10552-011-9729-4. PMC   3652894 . PMID   21286801.
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