title: Direct in vitro effects of androgens and estrogens on ob gene expression and leptin secretion in human adipose tissue.
abstract: In the present study, we have explored, in vitro, the possibility that short exposure to androgens and estrogens for 24 h may directly influence leptin expression (ARNm and secretion) in sc adipose tissue from men and women. In men, only dihydrotestosterone at high concentration (100 nM) induced a reduction in leptin secretion and ob mRNA level. In women, 17beta-estradiol (10-100 nM) increased ob mRNA expression (+180 to +500%) and leptin release (+75%). Moreover, in adipose tissue of women, the estrogen precursors testosterone (100 nM) and dehydroepiandrosterone (1 microM) also induced an increase in leptin secretion (+84 and +96%, respectively), an effect that was prevented by the aromatase inhibitor letrozole. Finally, the stimulatory effect of 17beta-estradiol observed in women was antagonized by the antiestrogen ICI182780. Altogether, these results suggest that the sexual dimorphism of leptinemia in humans is mainly owing to the estrogen receptor-dependent stimulation of leptin expression in adipose tissue by estrogens and estrogen precursors in women.
authors.affiliation: Service de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Paris-Ouest, Université René Descartes (Paris V), Centre Hospitalier de Poissy, France.
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Machinal-Quélin
authors.forename: Marie-Noëlle
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Dieudonné
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pecquery
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Leneveu
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Giudicelli
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D020738:Leptin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D020738:Leptin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol