Plasma acyl-estrone levels are altered in obese women.
A group of obese women (BMI>27 kg/m2; N=73) was studied together with lean controls (BMI <27 kg/m2; N=25). Three groups were defined by the compliance with: BMI lower than 27 kg/m2, glycaemia lower than 5.5 mM and insulinaemia lower than 0.2 nM (controls, group 1, N=19). The subjects with BMI>27 kg/m2, glucose >5.5 mM and insulin >0.2 nM constituted group 3 (N=41), and those with BMI>27 with glycaemia and/or insulinaemia lower than the limits set constituted group 2 (N=32). The women in group 3 had higher fat content, BMI and fat-free mass than those in group 2 and the controls. There were no changes in most plasma parameters, such as free estrone and beta-estradiol. Leptin levels were higher in groups 2 and 3 than in controls. In controls, leptin and acyl-estrone levels were well correlated with BMI and fat content; this correlation was not found in groups 2 and 3 for acyl-estrone, although it was found for leptin. Acyl-estrone levels were lower than expected in most obese women when compared to those of controls, suggesting an altered availability or function of this hormone. In obese women, acyl-estrone levels -and probably function- are lower than expected, contrasting with maintained leptin-BMI correlations. The role of insulin in the control of body weight, perhaps through acyl estrone-mediated effects, should be re-evaluated.
Cabot
C
C
Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
Masanés
R
R
Bullo
M
M
García-Lorda
P
P
Fernández-López
J A
JA
Salas-Salvadó
J
J
Alemany
M
M
D000215:Acylation; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D014527:Uric Acid; D004970:Estrone; D019344:Lactic Acid; D004958:Estradiol; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases