Increased adipose tissue aromatase activity improves insulin sensitivity and reduces adipose tissue inflammation in male mice - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Increased adipose tissue aromatase activity improves insulin sensitivity and reduces adipose tissue inflammation in male mice

Authors: Ohlsson C, Hammarstedt A, Vandenput L, Saarinen N, Ryberg H, Windahl SH, Farman HH, Jansson JO, Moverare-Skrtic S, Smith U, Zhang FP, Poutanen M, Hedjazifar S, Sjogren K

Publisher: AMER PHYSIOLOGICAL SOC

Publication year: 2017

Journal: American Journal of Physiology : Endocrinology and Metabolism

Journal name in source: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM

Journal acronym: AM J PHYSIOL-ENDOC M

Volume: 313

Issue: 4

First page : E450

Last page: E462

Number of pages: 13

ISSN: 0193-1849

eISSN: 1522-1555

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00093.2017

Abstract

Females are, in general, more insulin sensitive than males. To investigate whether this is a direct effect of sex-steroids (SS) in white adipose tissue (WAT), we developed a male mouse model overexpressing the aromatase enzyme, converting testosterone (T) to estradiol (E-2), specifically in WAT (Ap2-arom mice). Adipose tissue E2 levels were increased while circulating SS levels were unaffected in male Ap2-arom mice. Importantly, male Ap2-arom mice were more insulin sensitive compared with WT mice and exhibited increased serum adiponectin levels and upregulated expression of Glut4 and Irs1 in WAT. The expression of markers of macrophages and immune cell infiltration was markedly decreased in WAT of male Ap2-arom mice. The adipogenesis was enhanced in male Ap2-arom mice, supported by elevated Pparg expression in WAT and enhanced differentiation of preadipocyte into mature adipocytes. In summary, increased adipose tissue aromatase activity reduces adipose tissue inflammation and improves insulin sensitivity in male mice. We propose that estrogen increases insulin sensitivity via a local effect in WAT on adiponectin expression, adipose tissue inflammation, and adipogenesis.