Differences between men and women in the regulation of adipose 11 beta-HSD1 and in its association with adiposity and insulin resistance

• This study explored sex differences in 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11-HSD1) activity and gene expression in isolated adipocytes and adipose tissue (AT), obtained via subcutaneous biopsies from non-diabetic subjects [58 M, 64 F; age 48.3 +/- 15.3years, body mass index (BMI) 27.2 +/- 3.9kg/m(2)]. Relationships with adiposity and insulin resistance (IR) were addressed. Males exhibited higher 11-HSD1 activity in adipocytes than females, but there was no such difference for AT. In both men and women, adipocyte 11-HSD1 activity correlated positively with BMI, waist circumference, % body fat, adipocyte size and with serum glucose, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein:high-density lipoprotein (LDL:HDL) ratio. Positive correlations with insulin, HOMA-IR and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and a negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol were significant only in males. Conversely, 11-HSD1 activity in AT correlated with several markers of IR and adiposity in females but not in males, but the opposite pattern was found with respect to 11-HSD1 mRNA expression. This study suggests that there are sex differences in 11-HSD1 regulation and in its associations with markers of obesity and IR.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1

11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1

adipose tissue

adipocytes

obesity

sex

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)