Sex hormone and neuroendocrine aspects of the metabolic syndrome.
We discuss the recent advances in the knowledge that the sex steroids testosterone (T), estradiol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) are involved in the development of visceral obesity and of the metabolic syndrome. Cross talk between leptin and the androgen receptor (AR) in the hypothalamus as well as the peripheral conversion of DHEA and T to estrone, estradiol and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in adipocytes and hepatocytes play important roles in the metabolic syndrome in men. Finally, we discuss the development of new drugs, selective AR modulators, for treating the metabolic syndrome in men.
Nawata
Hajime
H
Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyushu University and Fukuoka Prefectural University, Tagawa City, Fukuoka, Japan. nawata@intmed3.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Watanabe
Tetsuhiro
T
Yanase
Toshihiko
T
Nomura
Masatoshi
M
Ashida
Kenji
K
Min
Liu
L
Fan
Wuqiand
W
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D020738:Leptin; D011944:Receptors, Androgen