title: Sex hormone and neuroendocrine aspects of the metabolic syndrome.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyushu University and Fukuoka Prefectural University, Tagawa City, Fukuoka, Japan. nawata@intmed3.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nawata
authors.forename: Tetsuhiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yanase
authors.forename: Masatoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ashida
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Wuqiand
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D020738:Leptin; D011944:Receptors, Androgen