Medicine:Estrogenic fat
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)
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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Impact of obesity on metabolism in men and women. Importance of regional adipose tissue distribution". The Journal of Clinical Investigation 72 (3): 1150–1162. September 1983. doi:10.1172/JCI111040. PMID 6350364.
- ↑ "Sex differences in the regulation of body weight". Physiology & Behavior 97 (2): 199–204. May 2009. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.02.017. PMID 19250944.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Androgen receptor in mouse brain: sex differences and similarities in autoregulation". Endocrinology 139 (4): 1594–1601. April 1998. doi:10.1210/endo.139.4.5863. PMID 9528939.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Hormonal control of regional fat distribution". Human Reproduction 12 (suppl 1): 21–25. October 1997. doi:10.1093/humrep/12.suppl_1.21. PMID 9403318.
- ↑ "Gonadal hormones determine sensitivity to central leptin and insulin". Diabetes 55 (4): 978–987. April 2006. doi:10.2337/diabetes.55.04.06.db05-1339. PMID 16567519.
- ↑ "Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy prevents central distribution of body fat after menopause". Metabolism 40 (12): 1323–1326. December 1991. doi:10.1016/0026-0495(91)90037-w. PMID 1961129.
- ↑ "Adipokines, inflammation, and visceral adiposity across the menopausal transition: a prospective study". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 94 (4): 1104–1110. April 2009. doi:10.1210/jc.2008-0701. PMID 19126626.
- ↑ "Abdominal visceral adipose tissue over the menopause transition and carotid atherosclerosis: the SWAN heart study". Menopause 28 (6): 626–633. March 2021. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001755. PMID 33651741.
- ↑ "Identification of estrogen receptor beta RNA in human breast and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 248 (3): 523–526. July 1998. doi:10.1006/bbrc.1998.8997. PMID 9703958.
- ↑ "Cytoplasmic 17 beta-[3H]estradiol binding in rat adipose tissues". Endocrinology 103 (5): 1695–1701. November 1978. doi:10.1210/endo-103-5-1695. PMID 748011.
- ↑ "Estradiol cycling drives female obesogenic adipocyte hyperplasia". Cell Reports 42 (4). April 2023. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112390. PMID 37053070.
- ↑ "Sexual dimorphism in body fat distribution and risk for cardiovascular diseases". Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research 2 (3): 321–327. September 2009. doi:10.1007/s12265-009-9101-1. PMID 20560019.
- ↑ "Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue: their relation to the metabolic syndrome". Endocrine Reviews 21 (6): 697–738. December 2000. doi:10.1210/edrv.21.6.0415. PMID 11133069.
- ↑ "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. December 2023. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgad409. PMID 37463488.
- ↑ "Estrogens in the breast tissue: a systematic review". Cancer Causes & Control 22 (4): 529–540. April 2011. doi:10.1007/s10552-011-9729-4. PMID 21286801.
 |  |
