Direct effects of testosterone, 17β-estradiol, and progesterone on adrenergic regulation in cultured brown adipocytes: potential mechanism for gender-dependent�…

M Monjo, AM Rodriguez, A Palou, P Roca�- Endocrinology, 2003 - academic.oup.com
Endocrinology, 2003academic.oup.com
Previous studies suggest that sex hormones could be responsible, at least in part, for the
gender-dependent thermogenesis found in the adrenergic control of brown adipose tissue
(BAT) under control conditions and in response to diet and cold. Catecholamines, as well as
several hormones, including sex hormones, may alter the function or expression of different
adrenoceptor subtypes in brown adipocytes in vivo, and a confirmation could be provided by
in vitro experiments. Therefore, the effect of testosterone, 17β-estradiol, progesterone, and�…
Abstract
Previous studies suggest that sex hormones could be responsible, at least in part, for the gender-dependent thermogenesis found in the adrenergic control of brown adipose tissue (BAT) under control conditions and in response to diet and cold. Catecholamines, as well as several hormones, including sex hormones, may alter the function or expression of different adrenoceptor subtypes in brown adipocytes in vivo, and a confirmation could be provided by in vitro experiments. Therefore, the effect of testosterone, 17β-estradiol, progesterone, and norepinephrine (NE) on adrenergic receptor (AR) gene expression (α2A-, β1-, β2-, and β3-AR) and lipolytic activity was investigated in differentiated brown adipocytes in culture. We report that the expression of each AR subtype gene was distinctively regulated by NE and sex hormones in brown adipocytes. Testosterone-treated cells had lower lipolytic activity and increased expression of antilipolytic receptors α2A-AR. Both 17β-estradiol and progesterone decreased α2A-AR expression and α2A3-AR protein ratio, but progesterone had higher potency than 17β-estradiol, increasing β-AR levels, mainly β3-AR expression, and enhancing lipolysis stimulated by NE. In conclusion, our results support the idea that male and female sex hormones, as a part of the hormonal environment of BAT, have direct and opposite effects on the AR balance and lipolytic activity, and they might play a role in the gender dimorphism for the recruitment process in BAT.
Oxford University Press
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