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Female adipocyte androgen synthesis and the effects of insulin

Cadagan, David; Khan, Raheela; Amer, Saad

Authors

David Cadagan

RAHEELA KHAN RAHEELA.KHAN@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Cellular Physiology

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SAAD AMER saad.amer@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine



Abstract

The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic disorders characterized by insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia, and its presence can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease significantly. The metabolic syndrome is associated with increased circulating androgen levels in women, which may originate from the ovaries and adrenal glands. Adipocytes are also able to synthesise steroid hormones, and this output has been hypothesised to increase with elevated insulin plasma concentrations. However, the contribution of the adipocytes to the circulating androgen levels in women with metabolic syndrome is limited and the effects of insulin are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of steroid precursors and synthetic enzymes in human adipocyte biopsies as markers of possible adipocyte androgen synthesis. We examined pre and mature adipocytes taken from tissue biopsies of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of participating women from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, of the Royal Derby Hospital. The results showed the potential for localised adipocyte androgen synthesis through the presence of the androgen precursor progesterone, as well as the steroid-converting enzyme 17?-hydroxylase. Furthermore, we found the controlled secretion of androstenedione in vitro and that insulin treatment caused levels to increase. Continued examination of a localised source of androgen production is therefore of clinical relevance due to its influence on adipocyte metabolism, its negative impact on female steroidogenic homeostasis, and the possible aggravation this may have when associated to obesity and obesity related metabolic abnormalities such as hyperinsulinaemia.

Citation

Cadagan, D., Khan, R., & Amer, S. (2014). Female adipocyte androgen synthesis and the effects of insulin. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports, 1, 254-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymgmr.2014.05.002

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 31, 2014
Online Publication Date Jun 29, 2014
Publication Date Jun 29, 2014
Deposit Date Aug 6, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports
Print ISSN 2214-4269
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 1
Pages 254-263
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymgmr.2014.05.002
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2399292
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214426914000391?via%3Dihub

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