title: Updated survey of the steroid-converting enzymes in human adipose tissues.
abstract: Over the past decade, adipose tissues have been increasingly known for their endocrine properties, that is, their ability to secrete a number of adipocytokines that may exert local and/or systemic effects. In addition, adipose tissues have long been recognized as significant sites for steroid hormone transformation and action. We hereby provide an updated survey of the many steroid-converting enzymes that may be detected in human adipose tissues, their activities and potential roles. In addition to the now well-established role of aromatase and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) type 1, many enzymes have been reported in adipocyte cell lines, isolated mature cells and/or preadipocytes. These include 11β-HSD type 2, 17β-HSDs, 3β-HSD, 5α-reductases, sulfatases and glucuronosyltransferases. Some of these enzymes are postulated to bear relevance for adipose tissue physiology and perhaps for the pathophysiology of obesity. This elaborate set of steroid-converting enzymes in the cell types of adipose tissue deserves further scientific attention. Our work on 20α-HSD (AKR1C1), 3α-HSD type 3 (AKR1C2) and 17β-HSD type 5 (AKR1C3) allowed us to clarify the relevance of these enzymes for some aspects of adipose tissue function. For example, down-regulation of AKR1C2 expression in preadipocytes seems to potentiate the inhibitory action of dihydrotestosterone on adipogenesis in this model. Many additional studies are warranted to assess the impact of intra-adipose steroid hormone conversions on adipose tissue functions and chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cancer.
authors.affiliation: Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, Canada; École de Nutrition, Université Laval, Québec, Canada; Endocrinologe et Néphrologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada. Electronic address: andre.tchernof@crchul.ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tchernof
authors.affiliation: Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, Canada; Endocrinologe et Néphrologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Mohamed Fouad
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mansour
authors.affiliation: Endocrinologe et Néphrologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Mélissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pelletier
authors.affiliation: Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, Canada; École de Nutrition, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Marie-Michèle
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Boulet
authors.affiliation: Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Mélanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nadeau
authors.affiliation: Endocrinologe et Néphrologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Van
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Luu-The
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D006801:Humans; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009765:Obesity / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
keywords: Fat distribution; Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; Obesity; Sex hormones